Matteson Fire Information

Filing Loss and Damage Claims

Download a Small Claim Packet (general information, procedures and forms)

Posted February 25, 2013

The official report on the cause of the Matteson fire has not been issued from the NY State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Office of Fire Prevention and Control. As a result, the extent to which the college is obligated, allowed, or able to assist with claims of personal property damage remains unclear. Pending the release of further information, students and families should proceed with filing claims with their personal homeowners or renters insurance and maintain documentation of property losses as well as payments or denials from personal insurance.

Updates will be posted to this site as soon as further information is available. Please contact L.P. Coe at 607-436-2416 or LP.Coe@oneonta.edu if you have questions.

Thank you for your patience.

Posted January 22, 2013

At the present time the extent to which the college is obligated, allowed, or able to assist with claims of personal property damage resulting from the Matteson Hall fire is unclear. Pending clarification from SUNY and the State of New York on the applicability of the Small Claims process, we remain committed to assisting students in attempting to recover their losses.    

The college recommends that as a first step, students and families proceed by filing claims for reimbursement for lost or damaged property with their personal homeowners or renters insurance.  

The college will explore other options for those who do not have insurance or those who provide documentation that their personal insurance claim was denied. As more information becomes available, updates will be posted to this site. In the meantime, questions and concerns can be addressed to L.P. Coe at 607-436-2416 or LP.Coe@oneonta.edu.

Posted January 18, 2013

Students whose property was damaged or destroyed as a result of the fire in Matteson Hall on January 16, 2013 may have several options to explore to obtain reimbursement.

If you have your own Renter’s Insurance, filing a claim on that policy may be the simplest, fastest way for you to recover damages to your property.

If your parents carry homeowner’s insurance, that policy may cover your belongings while away at college.  A call to their homeowner’s insurance company will answer the question as to whether or not you may file with them and, if so, whether the policy covers replacement value or depreciated value.

The college, as a State agency, does not carry insurance.  Students at least 18 years old whose claims for lost and damaged property total $5,000 or less may file a Small Claim against the college.  Students who are not yet 18 years old may have their parents file instead.  If partial reimbursement is received from one of the other methods above, a Small Claim may be filed to recover any unreimbursed losses or deductibles.  Please note that the Small Claim process covers depreciated value rather than replacement value.

If reimbursement from the college is sought for more than $5,000, the only method available is to sue the State University of New York at Oneonta.  It is recommended that an attorney be consulted when making these choices. Any claim against the college must be filed within 90 days of the incident (by April 16, 2013 in this instance).

To prepare a Small Claim, begin by making a complete list of items damaged or destroyed (items that were not damaged or could be restored through cleaning should not be included).  Each item or group of items must be listed separately (i.e. 4 pairs of GAP jeans).   Include as much information as possible about each item including purchase date, brand, manufacturer, model number, etc.  Receipts or other documentation of cost/value are also important.  Additional information about preparing a claim is available at the link below.

Download a Small Claim Packet (general information, procedures and forms). Packets are also available from L.P. Coe at 607-436-2416.

Please read the Small Claim general information and procedures carefully.  Assistance in filing a claim is available through the Internal Control Office in the college’s Division of Finance and Administration.  Please contact L.P. Coe at 607-436-2416 or at LP.Coe@oneonta.edu for further information and assistance in filing a Small Claim.