Hold the municipality liable

How does it work?

There are two types of damage for which you can file a claim:

• Damage you have suffered as a result of something the municipality has done.
• Damage caused by the municipality failing to properly maintain roads, squares, public green spaces, and buildings.

The municipality will assess your claim for damages. If the municipality also finds that it is liable, you will be compensated for the damage (or part thereof).

What should I do?

First report the damage to your own insurer if you have taken out insurance that covers the type of damage you have suffered. This insurer will then recover the payment from the municipality. If you have legal expenses insurance, it can hold the municipality liable on your behalf.

If you are not insured, you must submit the claim for damages to the municipality yourself. Include the following information in your claim for damages:

• description of the event (including place, date, and time)
• why you are holding the municipality liable
• description of the damage
• the amount of damage
• names of specialists who have assessed your damage
• your name, address, and phone number
• the account number (IBAN) to which any compensation can be paid

You can email your claim for damages to info@westmaasenwaal.nl.

What do I need?

• evidence of the damage incurred
• proof of the amount of damage incurred, for example, a repair bill
• statement of what happened and how the damage occurred, for example a police report in the event of an accident
• possibly a signed witness statement
• photos, if applicable

The municipality may request additional information from you. You will be notified of this within two weeks.

How long will it take?

Once all the information has been received, you will be notified within six weeks. This notification will state whether the municipality agrees with your claim for damages or whether more time is needed to assess it.

Additional information

The knowledge dossier Liability of the municipality contains detailed information, including information about citizens' personal responsibility and situations in which the municipality is not liable.