How to Write a Claim Statement

If you need to write a claim statement, it’s important that you know the top tips and tricks discussed in this article, including understanding the different types of claims, how long the statement has to be, what claim you need to write based on your circumstances, and what to include in your examples. In a claim essay or statement, your goal is to present your thesis, followed by your main arguments and evidence supporting those arguments.

What Is a Claim Statement?

So what is a claim statement? A claim statement is generally a thesis statement that involves a claim, which is the main argument that the author seeks to persuade the reader to agree with. Knowing how to write a claim thesis statement is a skill that many learn in school, particularly during college when many classes involve assignments requiring students to present claims backed by evidence.

Formulating facts to support the issue requires focus and skillful navigation. A statement of claim can be required in these situations:

1. Completing school assignments. These assignments could be as simple as persuasive legal arguments.
2. Drafting an insurance claim. This could be a written communication providing information on your claim under an insurance policy.
3. Prosecuting or defending a lawsuit. This situation usually requires help from an attorney to navigate the court rules so that you comply with the legal requirements when writing a claim statement.

Types of Claims

There are many types of claims. Understanding how to write a claim statement begins with knowing these four main types.

Claims of cause and effect

These claims present an argument that a particular situation or person caused an issue. This is one of the most common arguments used for claim statements regarding personal injury lawsuits.

You are claiming that an accident or negligence directly caused an injury.

Claims about value 

Claims about value involve an argument that something is worth a particular value. These claims are often made in probate proceedings or legal situations involving the recovery of a certain item, such as the value of a damaged or stolen piece of art.

You are claiming that a particular item was worth $5,000 based on the materials used to construct it and the item’s certificate of authenticity.

Claims about facts or definitions 

Claims about facts typically involve an argument that a certain condition has existed, does exist, or will exist. Claims about definitions seek to persuade the reader that the proffered interpretation of a word, or certain terms, should be adopted. Oftentimes you can observe these types of claims during a trial. You might hear an attorney argue that it is not a fact that being married means one partner has to be the sole caregiver for the children. You might also hear attorneys presenting their arguments on how to define “fetus” for purposes of abortion rights. 

You are claiming that the definition of domestic abuse applies to any abuse that takes place within a domestic setting, the home, and therefore applies to the friends who were visiting from out of town.

Claims about policies or solutions

These are arguments for or against certain policies or solutions. These claims are often associated with proposed laws in which legal experts present their respective claims against a potential solution.

You are claiming that the potential solution of a $2,000 settlement from the insurance company is insufficient to cover the cost of your totaled vehicle, valued at $15,000.

How to Make a Claim in Writing

Now that you are aware of the common types of claims, the following steps will show you how to state a claim in writing:

Start with the main topic and focus of your paper

This is also known as the topic sentence or the thesis statement. You want to focus on your main topic. In the legal setting, this is generally the legal matter at hand, such as a car accident, a dog bite, and so forth.

Announce the focus of your claim statement by keeping it short, directly relating it to the other party, and using logic and evidence to support your claim.

Make a claim or argument in one sentence

Make your claim or argument in one sentence, and if you have more than one claim, reserve more than one paragraph for each. Support each claim with evidence. When you are done, propose the solution based on the claim and supporting evidence.

How Long Does a Claim Statement Need to Be?

A claim statement doesn’t have to be particularly long, especially if you are writing a claim statement for legal purposes. If you are in school, your essay might have to be 500 words or more, in which case, you might write longer paragraphs.

But if you are submitting a claim statement for a lawsuit or an insurance claim, it should be brief, to the point, supported with evidence, and finished off with a concluding sentence that drives home the connection.

What to Include in a Claim Paragraph

When writing a claim paragraph, you should always include the following:

• Your thesis statement or hook. This should be the first sentence of your paragraph. 
• Your topic and claim. 
• The argument you have for that claim. 
• Examples and evidence to support your claim.

Tips in Writing a Statement of Claim 

When writing a statement of claim, follow these tips:

1. First, always have all the information and evidence ready before you start the writing process. For example, don’t submit a claim statement for VA coverage, healthcare, or other insurance until you have all the evidence to support your position. It may require a lot of work to procure all the evidence ahead of time, but it will save you a great deal of time and effort down the line. If you are unable to present all supporting evidence at the same time, review of your claim may be postponed or rejected entirely.
2. Second, always make sure your claim presents a clear connection. If you are submitting a claim statement after a car accident, do not merely state that you were involved in a car accident, that the police found the other driver to be at fault, and that you sustained injuries. Rather, specifically state that you suffered the injuries as the direct result of the car accident, which was the other driver’s fault. Clearly explaining these links in a simple and concise way establishes the necessary connection for your claim.
3. Third, consider having an attorney review your situation. An attorney can verify the validity of your claim and the effectiveness of your claim statement.

Claim vs. Counterclaim vs. Thesis Statement

As we discussed earlier, a claim is defined as the main argument of what you’re writing. This is the most important part of your claim statement or essay.

A counterclaim is an opposing argument to your initial claim. For example, if you are trying to settle a lawsuit involving a car accident, you might claim that one driver was 100% responsible because he or she ran a red light. But that person might submit a counterclaim that you were at least 20% responsible because you were on your phone.

A thesis statement is a statement wherein you make a specific claim about your topic. This specific claim can be debated or challenged, which is why your claim statement should present all the arguments and evidence to support the claim.

Claim Statement Examples

Knowing how to write a claim example will vary depending on the situation. 

For example: writing a claim for a VA insurance situation might differ from writing a claim for a lawsuit. 

Below is an example of a claim statement for a slip and fall incident:

Dear Mr. Todd, 

On the morning of April 15th, 2021, I was seriously injured from a slip and fall due to the wet floor in your supermarket. Evidence indicates that your negligence was directly responsible for my injuries and all related damages. If not for the negligence of your store, I would not have suffered injuries that prevented me from working for four weeks and resulted in significant medical expenses.

On April 15th, 2021, at approximately 10 a.m., I was shopping at your supermarket located at 100 Main Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60653. I was moving at a leisurely pace, pushing my small grocery cart like all normal shoppers. I had no way of knowing that I was walking into a dangerous situation. There were no caution signs, no one warned me, and the area where I fell was not cordoned off in any way.

Below is an example of a claim statement for a car accident:

To Robert Martin Insurance Company Name 

On July 23rd, 2020, I was injured in an auto accident with your insured policyholder, Marcus Bradley, who failed to yield the right of way at a stop sign, crashing into my vehicle and leaving me injured. Were it not for his negligent actions behind the wheel, neither myself nor my property would have been harmed. This car accident has led to considerable personal expenses in the form of repair costs for my vehicle, Medical Care, lost wages, and pain and suffering. I have reached the point in which additional medical improvement is unlikely, and I would like to conclude the matter of the damages caused by your insured with an equitable settlement that offers compensation for the damages I suffered.

Bottom Line

The bottom line is that there are many approaches to skillfully writing the content you need for a claim statement. If you are having trouble piecing together your claim statement  or finding the right resources to support your content, consider working with a lawyer. A lawyer has the skills to help you draft the proper claim or counterclaim depending on your circumstances and navigate the laws applicable to your situation.