When a claim is filed, time immediately begins working for or against your municipality. This is especially true for SSO claims, where facts disappear quickly, emotions run high, and litigation becomes costly. Strong teamwork between OMAG and members is essential. OMAG’s mission is to protect members and residents by guiding the claims process, preserving evidence, evaluating liability, and preventing escalation into litigation. Once a claim becomes a lawsuit, exposure increases dramatically.
OMAG is your partner in investigations and claims handling, but partnership only works when communication is timely and complete. Delays in providing sewer questionnaires, CCTV results, or incident details make it harder to determine liability and increase the chance of disputes.
SSO claims are time sensitive. As water recedes and cleanup begins, critical evidence disappears. Prompt information allows OMAG to verify the incident and identify causes. CCTV inspection should occur as soon as possible. Without documentation, facts become harder to establish and easier to challenge.
Employees often try to reassure residents, but statements like “We’ll take care of it” or “This is our fault” can later be viewed as admissions of liability. These misunderstandings can escalate a manageable claim into a legal dispute.
Tort claim procedures also involve strict timelines. Delayed reporting increases the chance of missed deadlines and weakened protections. Early notice allows OMAG to safeguard your rights.
SSO Events Present Unique Challenges:
Complex causes: blockages, roots, grease, storm events, system defects, or issues on private lines.
Multiple parties: residents, utilities staff, contractors, and sometimes regulatory agencies.
Early Involvement Allows Us to Help You:
Preserve photos, videos, logs, and SCADA data
Document weather and system conditions
Determine whether damage occurred on the public or private side
Communicate consistently with affected residents
Quick action reduces conflict and keeps claims from escalating unnecessarily.
Higher caps have also increased municipal exposure. A single SSO affecting multiple homes can mean significantly higher risk, and small mistakes—late reporting, missing evidence, unclear communication—can have larger consequences.
What Effective Teamwork Looks Like:
Report incidents immediately.
Document early and thoroughly.
Coordinate internally and avoid assumptions about liability.
Respond promptly to OMAG requests.
Early, thorough communication benefits everyone: faster answers for residents, reduced exposure for municipalities, and decreased litigation risk. Teamwork is a shield—by involving OMAG from the beginning, you protect your community, employees, and resources.
