§ 72. Notices and reports of claims, suits or causes of action to be given to the attorney-general. 1. Every officer, clerk, agent or employee of any department of the state government, who shall have knowledge of any accident or injury to the person or property of any person or corporation, on account of which there arises or may arise a claim, suit or cause of action against the state, or of any accident or injury to property owned by the state, on account of which there arises or may arise a claim, suit or cause of action in favor of the state, shall immediately give notice thereof to the officer or employee in charge of his bureau or department.

2. Every department, commission, board or officer, or the person in charge thereof, who has knowledge that a claim has accrued or may have accrued or made either against, or in favor of, the state, or of any accident or injury to the person or property of any person or corporation, or of the state on account of which there arises or may arise a claim, suit or cause of action against, or in favor of, the state, or an officer thereof, shall immediately give notice to the attorney-general, stating the time when, and the place where, such claim, suit or cause of action may have arisen, and the nature of the same, and such other information and evidence as the attorney-general may direct or deem necessary. The attorney-general shall make such investigation of the facts, relating to any matter so reported, as he may deem necessary.