To file a claim against the City of Lakeport, you must first complete a Claim Form. Claim Forms are available for downloading and printing from this website. Claim Forms are also available at the City Clerk’s Office located at City Hall at 225 Park Street, Lakeport, CA  95453.

Please fill out the Claim Form completely. Missing information will delay the processing of your claim. Detailed instructions on how to file a claim for damages can be found below. After completing the Claim Form, please submit it along with any supporting documentation to the City Clerk's Office.

NOTE: The City Clerk's Office is the only office to which claims may be submitted. Claims are not submitted to the City Attorney or any other Department and they may not be submitted through email.


Frequently Asked Questions:

Why must a claim be filed?
How do I file a claim for damages against the City?
What happens to the claim after it is filed?
Instructions on Filing a Claim Against the City of Lakeport

 Why must a claim be filed?

The State Legislature enacted Government Code Section 910, et al., which provides legal guidelines for resolving disputes involving public funds. These laws require the filing of a sufficient and timely claim with a public entity before a lawsuit can be brought. These guidelines exist for both the public and the public agency. Some of those legal guidelines are:

 a) Claims for death, injury to person, or to personal property must be filed not later than six months after the occurrence. See Government Code Section 911.2.

 b) Claims for damages to real property must be filed not later than one (1) year after the occurrence. See Government Code Section 911.2.

 c) A written Application for Leave to Present a Late Claim, along with a copy of the proposed claim, must be filed when a claim is not submitted within the time guideline. See Government Code Section 911.4.   (Back to Top)

How do I file a claim for damages against the City?

If you believe that the city is responsible for damages to you or your property, you must file a written claim within six months of the incident, in most cases. In order to meet legal requirements you must supply specific information. To assist you in meeting those requirements, the city has prepared a claim form for your use. Hard copy claim forms are available from the City Clerk’s Office. Completed claim forms should be mailed or hand delivered to the City Clerk’s Office along with copies of invoices, receipts or pictures documenting your damages. The City Clerk is located at City of Lakeport, 225 Park Street, Lakeport, CA  95453.  (Back to Top)

 What happens to the claim after it is filed?

After a claim is filed, it is forwarded to the City’s third party administrator for handling. A claims adjuster will contact the claimant to discuss the claim and determine damages. The results are forwarded to the claims adjuster who subsequently reports to the City whether the claim should be accepted or denied. If the claim is determined to be untimely or incomplete, it will be returned to you. (Back to Top)

Instructions on Filing a Claim Against the City of Lakeport

1. To ensure processing of your claim, complete each item on the claim form.
2. Mail or hand-deliver the completed and signed claim form to the City Clerk, City of Lakeport, 225 Park Street, Lakeport, CA  95453
3. Once your claim is received, it will be forwarded to the City’s third party administrator for processing.
4. Once the investigation of your claim has been completed, you will be notified in writing or contacted directly with regard to the merits of your claim. In order for the City to utilize public funds for payment on any claim, there first must be an evaluation of liability.
5. If you have any questions about completing this form or the claims process, please contact the City Clerk at 707-263-5615. The City Clerk can assist you with processing your claim but is not a resource for legal guidance regarding claims. If you have any legal questions about your claim, please refer to Government Code 910 et al. for guidance or seek professional help from an attorney.

Presentation of a false claim is a felony (Penal Code §72). Pursuant to CCP §§128.5 and 1038, the City may seek to recover costs of defense in the event an action is filed that is later determined not to have been brought in good faith and with reasonable cause.  (Back to Top)