The New York City Comptroller’s Office works to promote the financial health, integrity, and effectiveness of New York City government, in order to strengthen trust, secure a thriving future for all New Yorkers, and build a more just, equitable, and resilient city. Led by an independently elected citywide official, the comptroller’s office provides checks and balances needed to hold City government accountable for budgeting wisely, investing responsibly, operating efficiently, acting fairly, living up to its obligations and promises, and paying attention to the long-term challenges we face together.
Authorized by the New York City Charter, the Comptroller, through the Bureau of Law and Adjustment (BLA), negotiates and approves all monetary settlement of claims and lawsuits involving the City of New York. BLA investigates and, when in the best interest of the city, settles pre-litigation claims for and against the City of New York. In resolving claims before litigation is commenced, BLA protects the fiscal interest of the City while ensuring that pre-litigation claims are resolved in a fair and just manner, and in accordance with applicable laws. BLA furthers this goal in its review, evaluation, and authorization of requests to settle litigated cases involving the City and through diligent administration of disputes arising out of City contracts. BLA manages City risk by holding agencies accountable, rooting out fraud, and identifying trends, as well as, coordinating with the Law Department and other City agencies on issues that impact the public fiscal and public safety.
The Bureau of Law & Adjustment is responsible for investigating and adjusting claims filed for and against the City of New York. Among other claims, Law Division investigates and resolves claims for reimbursement of Special Education costs and attorneys’ fees and costs where it is alleged that the City failed to provide a free and appropriate public education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The Division works closely with the New York City Department of Education and the New York City Law Department.
Under the direction of the Law Division Chief and Assistant Law Division Chief, with latitude for independent judgment and initiative, responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Completing a full investigation of non-tort claims against the City of New York, which includes obtaining and reviewing agency and searching databases, media outlets, or using other available sources to investigate and obtain information relevant to the claim;
- Analyzing liability and damages, and preparing an objective evaluation of the claim;
- Reviewing and critically analyzing requests for settlement authority;
- Making sound recommendations as to the settlement or disallowance of assigned claims, and approving settlement authority requests on or negotiating and settling claims within authorized monetary level;
- Preparing written settlement recommendations detailing the relevant information pertaining to the investigation and evaluation of damages;
- Maintaining control over claim caseload, following-up with requests to agencies, and closing out claims that are beyond the statutory time period to begin an action;
- Timely and accurately maintaining claims files with all relevant claim data, investigative materials, and communications,
- Communicating effectively and professionally with all Comptroller’s Office bureaus, City agencies including the Department of Education and Law Department, pro se claimants, and attorneys for the purpose of investigating, negotiating or settling claims;
- Working collaboratively with the Comptroller’s engineering and auditing staff, the Bureau of Fiscal Services, the Central Imaging Facility, among others; and,
- Performing related assignments and special projects as required.
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