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Officials agree to not pay for truck damage
Published 04:29 p.m., November 17, 2009
Alleged damage done to a pick-up truck at the Otter Tail County Recycling Center isn’t the responsibility of the county, according to county officials.
Otter Tail County commissioners agreed Tuesday that the county isn’t responsible for paying a claim for alleged damage due to the county’s insurance provider denying the claim.
Otter Tail County resident Jamie Herbold alleged a wear mark on the tailgate was caused by a pressure washer being used at the recycling center while she was there in September. She stated that while she can pay the bill, it’s the principle of the situation.
“Why should I pay for their accident?” she asked the commissioners.
Herbold submitted a claim for $387 to the Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust (MCIT), which administers the county’s claims.
MCIT denied her claim due to a lack of evidence that shows the county or its employees were negligent or legally responsible for the damage, according to a letter from MCIT to Herbold.
“I feel for you, Jamie, I really do. But you can’t prove it,” Commissioner Everett Erickson said.
Commissioners questioned whether a pressure washer could cause the damage. Erickson said he uses pressure washers on his vehicles and tractors. Commissioner Lee Rogness echoed that sentiment, stating that pressure washers are used at his job, while Commissioner Doug Huebsch said he’s used pressure washers and doesn’t see how the damage could have occurred.
“This just isn’t making any sense at all,” Rogness said.
Also at issue is the pressure washer. The pressure washer was being used by someone completing community service hours, Probation Director Chuck Kitzman said. The pressure washer was being used to wash off a vehicle, but the person stopped using it because it wasn’t taking the dirt off the vehicle, Kitzman said. It was fixed later that afternoon.
Herbold stated that she was at the recycling center in the morning.
Rogness noted that there’s inconsistency if Herbold was stating it took the paint off her vehicle.
County Attorney David Hauser also noted that it’s Herbold’s best guess that the damage occurred at the recycling center.
Herbold responded that she drove to work and the recycling center that day.
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