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1. Can I get legal advice from the City Attorney's Office?

The office of the City Attorney cannot provide legal advice to citizens in private matters, nor is the office permitted to make referrals to citizens for private attorneys. This office does not prosecute violations of State law or local ordinances; all prosecutions are handled by the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney.

2. How do I file a claim?

How to File a Notice of Claim

Section 15.2-209 of the Code of Virginia requires that any person seeking to assert a claim for negligence against the City provide Notice of the events giving rise to the claim within six months of the date of occurrence. This Notice must be in writing and be provided to the Office of the City Attorney.

The written Notice should contain:

1. The claimant's name and address
2. The date of the incident
3. The location where the incident occurred
4. A brief description of what happened and why you contend the City is responsible.

The Notice may be mailed to:

City Attorney's Office
P.O. Box 3300
Danville, Virginia 24543

or delivered in person to:

427 Patton Street
Room 421 Danville, VA 24541

or faxed to: (434) 797-8972

The Notice must be received within six months of the date of the incident described.

Process Upon Receipt

Upon receipt, the City Attorney's Office will forward the Notice of Claim to the Virginia Risk Sharing Association (VRSA). The claimant will receive a letter confirming receipt of the Notice and, if timely, will acknowledge the forwarding of the Notice to Virginia Municipal League. It is the VRSA's responsibility to investigate and evaluate the claim and determine whether any payment will be voluntarily made.