UDOT

DAMAGE CLAIM APPEAL RE-EXAMINATION

UDOT partners with independent contractors for construction or maintenance projects occurring on Utah State-maintained or owned roads. These contractors are responsible for managing claims submitted in relation to alleged damages that occur within designated project limits.

UDOT formed the Claims Appeal Re-Examination Board to ensure fair claim resolution and strengthen public confidence. Appeal Re-Examination meetings are typically held on the 3rd or 4th Wednesday of each month.

Important Notes: 

• Any other denied claims are not eligible for an appeal through this re-examination process. 
• Claims exceeding $5,000 are not eligible for an appeal or settlement. 
• Claims submitted to your insurance are not eligible for an appeal and should be addressed directly with your insurance provider.
• Appeal Re-examination requests must be submitted in writing within 7 days of the denial date

Submitting an appeal for a denied claim to the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) through this system does not constitute acceptance by UDOT of any legal, financial, or other type of claims-related liability in any way whatsoever. A request for an appeal submission does not constitute a waiver of any of the provisions or requirements of the Governmental Immunity Act of Utah, Utah Code §§ 63G-7-101 to -904, nor does it serve as sufficiency for a claimant’s responsibility to file a notice of claim as required by the Act.

Need to Know

• UDOT Standard Specification 00820, governs claim handling, and contractors must adhere to its guidelines, especially regarding deadlines and required information in denial letters. 
• The burden of proof is solely on the claimant to produce evidence of negligence made by the contractor.

Appeal Re-Examination Board Hearing Scheduling Requirements

To ensure a smooth customer service experience, please submit all required documents in full as soon as possible. Failure to do so may lead to the closure of your appeal or the expiration of the submission period.

Required information:

• Daytime contact details (phone number, email address, mailing address) 
• Detailed statement of the incident
• Copy of the denial letter or notification
• Two separate itemized damage repair estimates or a detailed paid invoice/receipt
  • Receipts from peer-to-peer payments (Venmo, Zelle, PayPal) are not acceptable
• Photos or videos of damages and supporting documentation to your claim
• All communications concerning the status of your appeal request will be delivered via email.

What to expect at the Appeal Re-Examination Hearing

• After submitting all the required information, the claimant will receive an email with the scheduled date and time for your appeal re-examination hearing. The hearing will take place virtually, either through Google Meet or by using a Google Meet phone number.
• On the appointed date, the claimant and the contractor; will independently meet with the board and be allotted 10 minutes to present the claim. While your attendance is not mandatory, it is to your benefit.
• The board is generally composed of three (3) to seven (7) members, including representatives from UDOT and a neutral third-party organization.
• A letter of decision will be sent to the claimant and the contractor via email. Letters are typically sent out within 7 business days; however, additional time may be required depending on the complexity of the claim. The decision is administratively final.

For additional support or service, please contact:

Mandy Archuleta
801-965-4715
[email protected]