Individuals who have been harmed or who have suffered a loss as a result of negligent actions by a state employee or agency can submit a tort claim to DES' Office of Risk Management.
ORM is required by law (RCW Chapter 4.92) to receive these claims. Pursuant to RCW 42.56, tort claim forms are subject to public disclosure.
ORM objectively determines the state's liability for claimed injuries. It fairly compensates claimants for damages when liability is supported by evidence and denies claims when liability is unsupported. ORM recognizes its stewardship role in protecting state resources by striving for efficient and timely service to individuals. Approved claims are paid out of the Self-Insurance Liability Program (SILP), which is funded by state agencies.
The Washington State Tort Claim form is for use only if you believe that you were harmed by the state of Washington, its officers, employees, or volunteers.
DO NOT USE THIS FORM if you were harmed by another entity (for example: the United States Government, another country, another state, a county, city, or private citizen). You must file your claim against the other entity or entities.
The Washington State Tort Claim form may be filed online, by fax, by mail or in person.
Submit a tort claim online securely. You can attach supporting documents and print out your submission at the end. However, online submission forms cannot be saved. Once started, they must be completed. Allow yourself enough time to complete and have all documents in electronic format. There is no need to send a duplicate copy by mail.
Submit the completed Washington State Tort Claim form to the following fax number: 360-507-9251. The fax submittal must include the date, time the claim document was submitted, and the fax number from which it was sent. Please do NOT mail an additional copy of the claim to DES.
Documents will not be returned, please keep copies of everything you submit. Submit the completed Washington State Tort Claim form by mail to the following address:
Office of Risk Management
Department of Enterprise Services
PO Box 41466
Olympia, WA 98504-1466
You must make an appointment to drop off claims or other documents in person. Please call 360-407-9199 prior to coming to the building to make an appointment. Documents will not be returned, please keep copies of everything you submit. Submit the completed Washington State Tort Claim form in person between 8 a.m. and noon, or 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the following address:
Office of Risk Management
Department of Enterprise Services
1500 Jefferson Street SE
Olympia, WA 98504-1466
ORM acknowledges receipt of the Washington State Tort Claim by letter to the Claimant within approximately 10 days. For claim follow-up or acknowledgement questions, call 360-407-9199.
The Washington State Tort Claim form must be signed by one of the following:
The length of the Washington State Tort Claim investigation varies greatly depending on the complexity of the issues and the availability of documents and witnesses to support causation and damages. The tort claim can be resolved and closed quicker when all relevant information and documents are provided initially for the investigator's consideration.
RCW 4.92.100 permit claims for tortious conduct brought against Washington state to be submitted electronically or by fax to the Department of Enterprise Services, Office of Risk Management (ORM). Citizens may also file tort claims in hard copy form by mailing or delivering the original documents to:
Department of Enterprise Services
Office of Risk Management
1500 Jefferson Street SE
PO Box 41466
Olympia, WA 98504-1466
Fax: 360-507-9251
The Washington State Tort Claim form is for use only if you believe that you were harmed by the state of Washington, its officers, employees, or volunteers. DO NOT USE THIS FORM if you were harmed by another entity (for example: the United States Government, another country, another state, a county, city, or private citizen). You must file your claim against the other entity or entities.
ORM Customer Service is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 360-407-9199. If assistance is required outside of these hours, you can call the Customer Service telephone number and leave a voice message and contact telephone number. These voice messages will receive a response the following business day.
No. ORM is unable to ensure that personal health or other confidential information received by facsimile is secure according to applicable privacy laws. Therefore, you should not submit any personal health or other confidential information to ORM electronically.
When you sign the Washington State Tort Claim form, you are declaring under penalty of perjury under the laws of the state of Washington that information contained in your tort claim is true and correct. If submitting the tort claim in hard copy form by mail or in person, you must sign and date the claim. If the claim is submitted electronically, an electronic signature must be used. An electronic signature is defined as an original signature that is placed on the claim form and executed or adopted by the claimant with the intent to sign the form. (Final Bill Report SB 5136)
The claim form must be signed by one of the following: a) The claimant b) A person holding a written power of attorney from the claimant c) The attorney in fact for the claimant d) An attorney admitted in Washington on the claimant's behalf, or e) A court-approved guardian or guardian ad litem on the claimant's behalf.
Yes. According to RCW 4.92.100 all claims for damages must be presented on the standard tort claim form that is posted on the Department of Enterprise Services, Office of Risk Management website. You can also submit your claim online securely.