Hold the municipality liable

How does it work?

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

• Damages you have incurred as a result of something the municipality did.
• Damage caused by the municipality’s failure to properly maintain roads, squares, public green spaces, and structures.

The municipality will review your claim. If the municipality also determines that it is liable, you will be reimbursed for the damages (or a portion thereof).

What should I do?

If you have insurance that covers the type of damage you have suffered, report the damage to your own insurer first. That insurer will then seek reimbursement 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 file the claim yourself with the municipality. Include the following information in your claim:

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

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

What do I need?

• proof of the damage sustained
• proof of the amount of the damage incurred, such as a repair bill
• a statement explaining what happened and how the damage occurred, such as a police report in the case of an accident
• if necessary, a signed witness statement
• photos (if available)

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

How long does it take?

Once all the information has been submitted, you will receive a response within 6 weeks. This response will indicate whether the municipality has approved your claim or whether more time is needed to review it.

Additional information

The information dossier on Municipal Liability, available at , contains detailed information on topics such as citizens’ personal responsibility and the situations in which the municipality is not liable.