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Tort Claims

Anyone who has sustained bodily injury or property damage which they believe was caused by the negligence of the University of Maryland or University of Maryland personnel may file a claim under the Maryland Tort Claims Act, which is set forth in the Maryland Code, State Government Article, §§ 12-101, et. seq. This claim must be submitted in writing to the Maryland State Treasurer's Office (STO).

  • The STO Insurance Division will objectively determine responsibility for all claimed injury or property damage and will compensate claimants for injury and/or property damage when supported evidence deems this to be the appropriate action. 
  • If the evidence secured supports a denial of liability, the STO Insurance Division will communicate this information to the claimant or his/her representative.
  • If you sustain a property damage loss, please notify your insurance carrier so they too may be able to conduct an investigation on your behalf and this may also expedite receiving payment for your loss.

 

How to file a Maryland State Tort Claim

To file a new claim, please complete the STO’s Electronic Notice of Claim Form (NOC). For additional claim information, please visit the STO’s Insurance Website. The form is for State claims, only.

If you have any questions while completing the electronic form, or after the form has been submitted, please feel free to contact the main number of the STO Insurance Division at (410) 260-7684.

The STO Insurance Division is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. The office is closed on Saturday, Sunday, official state holidays and any days impacted by severe weather events.

If you do not have access to a computer, the NOC can be sent via US Postal mail.  Please contact the STO Insurance Division to request one be mailed.   You are required to fully complete the entire form.   The executed form may be faxed or mailed to the Treasurer's Office.  They must receive the form fully completed before proceeding with the investigation into your claim.

  • The Notice of Claim can be submitted by mail to the following address:

Dereck E. Davis, Treasurer
c/o Insurance Division
Louis L. Goldstein Treasury Building
80 Calvert Street, Room 442
Annapolis, MD 21401

A Notice of Claim can be submitted by fax using the following fax number: 410-974-2865

If you have filed a claim, please contact the STO Insurance Division's main number at (410) 260-7684 and request your adjuster's name, direct phone number and your claim number.  If you call after hours business, please leave your name, preferred contact phone number, claim number and a detailed message. A staff member will return your call the next business day. 

All claims must be submitted in writing and must include the following data:

  • A concise statement of facts describing the nature of the claim, including date, place and time of occurrence;
  • A demand for specific damages;
  • Names and addresses of all parties; name, address, and telephone number of counsel for the claimant, if any;
  • Must be signed by the claimant, their legal representative, or counsel.

Important Facts about a Submitted Tort Claim

The completed Notice of Claim form must be signed by one of the following:

  • the Claimant
  • a person who has power of attorney for the Claimant
  • the attorney representing the Claimant for the facts presented in the Notice of Claim

The length of the STO Insurance Division investigation may take up to six months to complete. Each investigation depends on the complexity of the issues presented in the tort claim and the availability of securing evidence necessary to render a decision.

If the investigation completed by STO Insurance Division results in a settlement of your claim, please be advised you will receive payment in approximately 30 business days after your payment is processed. The payment cannot be processed without the properly executed, notarized release.  Therefore, your prompt return of a properly executed, notarized release is essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Is there a time limit for filing a claim?

    All claims must be submitted in writing to the Treasurer or a designee of the Treasurer within  1 year after the injury to a person or damage to property has occurred.

  2. If I send my Notice of Claim to the Insurance Division by fax, how will I know if it was received?

    The fax machine used to fax the Notice of Claim to the STO Insurance Division will provide you with a verification of the fax being received by the STO Insurance Division. Once this verification has been secured, a follow up phone call to the office is not necessary. Should you not receive verification of the fax connecting to the STO Insurance Division, please check to make sure the document was sent to 410-974-2865.

 

 

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