The Erie County Property Damage Department within the County Attorney’s Office is responsible for the investigation and review of property damage claims filed against the County. Contact information for the Property Damage Department is as follows:
County of Erie
Department of Law
ATTN: Property Damage Department
95 Franklin Street, Room 1634
Buffalo, New York 14202
Telephone: (716) 858-2234
Facsimile: (716) 858-2281
How to File a Property Damage Claim*
To file a claim for property damage with the County of Erie you must submit a written notice of claim within ninety (90) days of the date of the incident/accident causing damage to your property. The written notice of claim must be sworn to (i.e. notarized), and it must set forth the following information:
- the name and post office address of the claimant, and his/her attorney if any;
- the nature of the claim;
- the time when, the place where and the manner in which the claim arose; and
- the items of damage claimed to have been sustained
Your claim must be served upon the County of Erie by either: (1) personal hand delivery; (2) registered mail; or (3) certified mail. Your claim should be served upon the County of Erie at the following address:
County of Erie
Department of Law
ATTN: Property Damage Department
95 Franklin Street, Room 1634
Buffalo, New York 14202
Once you have submitted a claim for property damage in accordance with the requirements listed above, the Property Damage Department will assign your claim a distinct claim number. You will then receive a letter indicating that either: (1) your claim is being investigated; (2) the Property Damage Department requires additional information before it can investigate your claim; or (3) your claim was rejected because it was not submitted in compliance with the law. If you have not had a response from our office within 60 days of submitting your claim, you may contact the Property Damage Department telephone number (716-858-2234) and follow the instructional prompts.
*The instructions on how to submit a property damage claim are instructions on how to submit a claim in compliance with Erie County Law Department policies and procedures. It does not in any way constitute legal advice, establish an attorney-client relationship or privilege, or indicate compliance with additional state, federal or local law obligations.