The Risk Management function in the Human
Resources Department is a support service to all City departments and the
Citizens of Amarillo for the coordination and the administration of various
claims generated from City operations. This includes workers' compensation,
auto liability, general liability, and unemployment claims. This service
also includes assistance with accident investigations, in-service safety
training programs, administering safety programs and policies, and
developing and revising safety programs as needed. Risk Management also
assists the Finance Department in evaluating current insurance needs
throughout the City.
Accident
If you have experienced an accident involving the City, please contact the
Risk Management department at (806)378-3091 between the hours of 8 am and
5pm Monday through Friday. If you are asked to file a written claim, you may
go here to find the form and filing instructions. You may also e-mail your
claim or concerns to the following e-mail address and you will be contacted
as soon as possible, jim.smith@ci.amarillo.tx.us
. Please include a return phone number or address so we can contact you
promptly.
Sewer or water damage
If you have experienced a sewer backup or water damage due to a water main
break, please contact the City Water/Sewer department at 806-378-6825. After
hours or on weekends or holidays, please call 806-378-3019. If the sewer
problem is in the City main line, the crew will be able to remove the
blockage and that should restore your sewer service in a quick and
convenient manner. This sewer main line service is provided free of cost.
We realize that citizens may incur expenses
and damages because of a sewer backup or flood of water from a water main
break. The City regrets those events and strives to prevent them. However,
the operation of a water/sewer system is a governmental function, for which
the City is immune from damages unless immunity is waived by state law. In a
case decided in early 2004, the Texas Supreme Court clearly outlined the
narrow circumstances in which a City might be liable for a utility failure
that damages a home. City of Dallas v. Jennings, 142 SW3d 310 (Tex. 2004).
Under current law, in the vast majority of situations, the City of Amarillo
is immune from liability for property damages caused by sewer back-up or
water main breakage.
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