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Alameda County Law Library Building
125 - 12th Street, 3rd Floor, Oakland, CA 94607 · 510-272-6920
Overview - Claims Against The County
Claims Process
Under most circumstances in California, before suing a public entity or a government employee for damages, a claim must be filed meeting the requirements of the California Tort Claims Act. See California Government Code sections 800 to 996.6
No claim or lawsuit for money damages may be brought against Alameda County unless a written claim has been properly filed with the Clerk of the Board within the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations set the maximum period of time within which a claim or lawsuit may be filed and varies depending on the circumstances of the case or the type of claim or lawsuit involved.
All claims are forwarded by the Clerk of the Board to Risk Management for review and oversight. A third party administrator, Acclamation Insurance Management Services, has been contracted by the County to provide general liability and medical malpractice claims services.
Guidelines for Coverage
The County of Alameda has liability protection programs that apply to claims, costs, injuries or damages that are caused by or result from the negligent acts or omissions of the County, its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers. Programs include:
- General Liability, which includes Auto Liability, Errors and Omissions, and Employment Practices Liability
- Medical Malpractice
For a claim to have merit, negligence must have caused the injury or property damage to a person. Negligence can be defined as the failure to act as a reasonably prudent or careful person would act under the same or similar circumstances.
The liability program will pay, on behalf of the County, the amounts that the County will be obligated to pay by reason of liability imposed upon the County by law, or liability assumed under written contract by the County on covered claims. Refer to County Insurance Programs.
The County will also provide a defense and indemnification to its employees with respect to claims resulting from their acts or omissions while in the course and scope of County business, except for criminal acts such as fraud, corruption, malice, etc. Punitive or exemplary damages are damages intended to reform or deter the defendant and others from engaging in conduct similar to that which formed the basis of a lawsuit. The County does not provide indemnification for punitive or exemplary damages.
How to File a Claim
A Claim Against the County of Alameda (PDF - 18kb)* form must be completed in its entirety as specified by California Government Code section 910 and 910.2 and returned to the Clerk of the Board. The form may also be obtained in person at
Clerk, Board of Supervisors Office
Administration Building, 1221 Oak Street, Room 536
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone No.: (510) 208-4949
Upon filing the claim, all documents and claim information will be submitted to George Hills Company (GHC). GHC will contact the damaged party directly regarding the claim. The assigned adjuster may accept, reject, or return the claim as late or insufficient after the initial investigation. When a claim is accepted and has merit, a reasonable settlement offer will be made, if a claim is rejected in whole or in part, the injured party must demand a request for reconsideration or file a lawsuit against the County within six months from the date of the notification.
For information regarding your claim, George Hills Company (GHC), can be reached at (707) 792-4980.