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Online Filing
eTort Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When can I file a tort claim with Washington state?
The Washington State Tort Claim form is for use only if you believe that you were harmed by the state of Washington, its officers, employees, or volunteers. DO NOT USE THIS FORM if you were harmed by another entity (for example, the United States Government, another country, another state, a county, city, or private citizen). You must file your claim against the other entity or entities.
Who is authorized to sign the tort claim form?
The claim form must be signed by one of the following:
- The claimant, or
- A person holding a written power of attorney from the claimant, or
- The attorney in fact for the claimant, or
- An attorney admitted in Washington on the claimant's behalf, or
- A court-approved guardian or guardian ad litem on the claimant's behalf
What about the statutory requirement to have an original signature on the claim form?
When you sign the Washington State Tort Claim form, you are declaring under penalty of perjury under the laws of the state of Washington that information contained in your tort claim is true and correct. When the claim is submitted electronically, an electronic signature must be used. An electronic signature is defined as an original signature that is placed on the claim form and executed or adopted by the claimant with the intent to sign the form. (Final Bill Report SB 5136)
Is there any browser requirement for the online tort claim submission?
Yes. The following browsers are currently supported:
- Chrome version 31 or newer
- Firefox version 38 or newer
- Internet Explorer (IE) version 9, 10 or Edge
- Safari version 8 or newer
- Opera version 31 or newer
Is the online tort claim form compatible with mobile devices such as phone, tablet, or other handheld computer?
The current online tort claim form has not been tested on mobile devices.
Can I attach supporting documents to my claim?
Yes, you can upload any available document or evidence supporting your claim, such as medical records or bills for physical injuries, reports from law enforcement, photographs, proof of ownership for property damage, receipts for property value, and property damage estimates. If your claim involves a physical injury, sign and upload an Authorization for Release of Protected Health Information and a MMSEA Reporting Compliance Declaration. You may upload up to 10 files. Files must not be larger than 10 MB. Large files take longer to upload.
What types of file can I upload?
- Adobe PDF (.pdf)
- Microsoft Word Document (.doc, .docx, .dot, .rtf, .docm, .dotm)
- Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation (.ppt, .pptx, .pps, .ppsx)
- Web pages (.html, .mhtml)
- Images (.jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, .tif, .bmp, .wmp)
What should I do if I'm unable to upload documents?
If you are unable to upload your documents for any reason (too many documents, big document, long document name, document name with special characters, unverified source, etc.), you can submit your claim without them, then send us an email with these documents attached and the confirmation number of your submitted claim in the subject line. We will upload the documents to your claim based on the confirmation number.
What should I do if I get a "Submission Failed" message on my screen?
You might get this message for several reasons. The most common reason is compatibility (device, browser, uploaded files, potential corrupted files, etc.) Please remove all uploaded documents and submit your claim again. If the message still occurs, please visit our website for other options to submit your claim.
What is the format for date field?
The date format is mm/dd/yyyy (i.e. 12/31/1999).
Are there other ways to submit the Washington State Tort Claim?
Yes, the Washington State Tort Claim form can be submitted by email, fax, mail, or in person. Please visit our website for more information.
How soon can I expect to hear about my claim?
ORM acknowledges receipt of the Washington State Tort Claim by letter or email to the Claimant within approximately 10 days. For claim follow-up or acknowledgement questions, call 360-407-9199.