Filing a Claim

How do I file a claim?

If you feel the City, or a City employee acting within the course and scope of the employee’s employment, has damaged your property or injured you, we encourage you to file a claim. Attach all relevant documents, such as bids, receipts, invoices, pictures and other supporting documents to the claim form. The sooner you file a claim, the more likely it is that the evidence will be easily gathered.

How do I request a claim form?

A claim form may be downloaded here or requested in person at:

City Clerk's Office
City Hall
50 W. 13th St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
563-589-4120

Where do I send my claim form?

Please mail or drop off your claim form at the City Clerk's Office at the address above.

Can I send additional information with the claim form?

Yes. It is recommended that you send in as much information as possible with your claim form to expedite investigation of the claim. This includes, but is not limited to, estimates, receipts, medical bills, pictures, and any other supporting documentation you feel may be relevant to your claim. It is also recommended that you send copies of these items and keep the originals for your records. 

What happens after I file a claim?

Once a claim has been received and file-stamped by the City Clerk, it is forwarded to the City Attorney’s Office for investigation. 

Claims will be forwarded by the City Attorney’s Office to the City's claims agency for investigation. You will receive a letter from the City Attorney’s Office indicating that your claim has been forwarded to the claims agency and providing the claims agency's contact information. A claims adjuster will then contact you regarding your claim. At that point, any questions regarding your claim should be addressed to the claims adjuster. 

No employee of the City is authorized to make any representation or decision on whether your claim will or will not be paid.

What if my claim is denied?

You may write a letter to the City Council indicating why your claim should not be denied and include any additional information that supports your claim. Your letter will be placed on a City Council agenda and you will be notified of the date of the meeting when your letter will be considered. You may attend the meeting and address the City Council.

How long do I have to wait before my claim is resolved?

The length of time it takes to investigate and resolve a claim depends largely on the nature of the claim and the amount of damages involved. Some claims may take a few weeks to resolve, while others may take longer. If you wish to check on the status of your claim or if you have any questions or concerns about the process, contact the City Attorney's Office at 563-589-4113.

How long do I have to file a claim?

You can file a claim whenever you want, but you should be aware that if your claim is denied and you wish to file a lawsuit that a statute of limitations will come into play.  You should consult a private attorney regarding which statute of limitations may apply to your claim.