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The goal of the Litigation Bureau is to represent efficiently the County and its officers and employees in all civil actions and special administrative proceedings, except for proceedings handled by the Family Court Bureau. In 1999 the Litigation Bureau saved the Westchester taxpayers an estimated $7,740,000 by successfully defending and settling lawsuits. Affirmative Litigation The Litigation Bureau represents the County in suits that will benefit the taxpayers, such as the recent Tobacco litigation, in which the County recovered $451,000,000. Another example is the suit brought by County Executive Andrew Spano against Con Edison that challenges rising electric rates caused by Con Edison's failure to maintain Indian Point. The Bureau also prosecutes civil actions to recover monies owed to the County, such as Medicaid liens and 207-c benefits improperly collected by correction officers. General Litigation The Litigation Bureau also defends the County in civil actions in State and Federal courts, in actions involving breach of contract, challenges to local laws, federal and state reimbursement claims, environmental review, and employment claims by County employees.
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Tort and Public Official Liability The Litigation Bureau defends the County in all tort actions for personal injury or property damages that arise out of any acts or omissions of County officers or employees acting within the scope of their employment. Since 1986 the County has been self-insured pursuant to General Municipal Law §6. The Litigation Bureau defends approximately 500 actions of this nature, which in the past were handled by outside attorneys at greater expense to the taxpayers. Many of these cases arise from alleged dangerous conditions on County property, such as roads, parks, buildings and sewers and automobile accidents involving County vehicles. In addition, prison inmates often file claims for alleged negligence of Correction officials. Civil Rights Claims The Litigation Bureau defends the County in civil rights actions against the County and public officials, the bulk of which are brought in federal court. These actions challenge the policies or practices of the County and its officials. This is complex litigation, in which the County has significant exposure, involving constitutional questions, such as discrimination, sexual harassment, the first amendment, and due process of law. The Litigation Bureau also defends these claims in the New York State Division of Human Rights and the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
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