King County Risk Management investigates and works to resolve claims and lawsuits filed by citizens who allege that they have been damaged by the negligent act(s) of the County or its employees.

To pursue a claim against King County/Metro Transit, you must file a Claim for Damages form with the King County Clerk Of The Council's Office. After the investigation, we will provide written notice of your claim status: either accepted, considered in part as a compromise, or denied.

Type of claims we handle

• General claims:
  Bodily injury or property damage occurring on County property or as a result of County operations. Such as: accidents involving King County/Metro vehicles, slip and falls on County property, water damage claims, jail property loss claims, etc.
   
• Metro Transit / Sound Transit bus claims:
  Claims for injury or property damage involving an event with Metro or Sound Transit Bus Services.
  

  Note: Sound Transit claims are processed similarly to King County Metro Transit claims, except that some Sound Transit Routes are operated under King County Metro Transit while others fall under the control of other transit authorities. In order for your claim to be processed, you will need to file with the proper agency. We recommend that you contact Metro customer service to verify which transit authority operates a specific Sound Transit Route.

• Recovery claims:
  When appropriate, the Office of Risk Management will pursue recovery claims against negligent third parties responsible for damage to County property and/or injury to County employees.
  

Claims process

1. Complete a King County Claim for Damages form.
2. Sign your claim form in accordance with the instructions on the form.
3. Deliver or mail your original signed claim form along with any supporting documents to the King County Clerk of the Council at the address included on the form.

   Note: Unsigned, fax copies, or other non original claim form documents will be returned without being processed.

4. Upon receipt of a properly completed claim for damages form, the King County Clerk of the Council will assign a number to your claim and the claim will be transmitted to Risk Management.
5. A Tort Claims Investigator will be assigned to your claim to conduct an investigation, and will be in contact with you.
6. Upon conclusion of the investigation, we will provide written notice that either your claim has been accepted, considered in part as a compromise, or denied.
7. If your claim is accepted you will be required to sign a release and an IRS W-9 form before any payment can be processed.
8. After receipt of a signed release and W-9, payment can take up to 10 business days.

Claims forms

Download an electronic version of the King County Claim for Damages form.

Frequently asked questions

Please check our frequently asked questions page for answers to common questions about claims.

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Similar services

You may also be looking for similar services that are actually provided by other County agencies.

• Citizen complaints
  Citizen complaints are handled by the Ombudsman's Office.
  
  
• Metro Transit Customer Service
  Metro Transit Customer Service can help you find answers to your questions and comments about the Metro bus system, lost items, bus passes, schedules etc.
  
  
• Workers compensation
  Workers compensation claims filed by County employees are handled by the Safety and Claims section of the Human Resources Division.
  
  

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Contact information:

• Web: www.kingcounty.gov/property/risk
• Call: 206-296-7432
• Fax: 206-296-0949
• E-mail: Risk.Management@kingcounty.gov
• Address:
  • King County Department of Executive Services
    Risk Management Division,
    Director: Jennifer Hills
    400 Yesler Way, Room 410
    YES-ES-410
    Seattle, WA 98104
• Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.