To report a property loss, please use any of the following phone numbers or fax numbers:
Email: lapnewclaims@ccm-ct.org | CIRMA Switchboard: 203-946-3700 Cynthia Mancini, Liability-Auto-Property Claims Unit ManagerBusiness: 203-498-3019 After Hours Emergency: 203-804-5917
Brian Carabetta, Sr., Property Claims RepresentativeBusiness: 203-946-3764 Work Cell: 203-503-0317 (Report Workers' Compensation claims online at NetClaim.net.)
After a major wind storm, many dangerous hanging branches ("hangers" or "widow-makers") and other defects to trees may remain in public areas. They pose a hazard to workers performing clean-up operations and to the general public. According to the Connecticut General Statute 23-59, Powers of Tree Warden, Section D - Discretionary Removal or Pruning of Trees:
CIRMA advises that a person trained in hazard tree assessment review trees and assess them for dangerous conditions. CIRMA recommends that members act promptly on reports of problems and when problems are identified; when in doubt, remove the tree or limbs.
The Connecticut Tree Wardens manual is a good source of information for conducting tree risk hazard assessment. If you have questions or require additional information on tree surveys and tree risk assessments, please contact Robert Ricard, Extension Educator, Urban & Community Forestry at Robert.Ricard@uconn.edu.
If your municipality or school district hires third-party contractors to perform tree cutting operations and debris removal, please consult the CIRMA Best Practice Guide on Risk Transfer for information on contracts and indemnity agreements.
Please contact your Risk Management Consultant with any questions.
Crews should use follow these precautions during tree clean-up: Tree Removal-Brush; Chain Saws; Chippers; Refueling Equipment.