If you slip and fall on government property, is the government automatically accountable for your injuries and other losses?
The answer is generally yes if the government was irresponsible in its management and repair of the property, but there are crucial limitations on an injured person’s right to sue.
What you should know is that the government has created laws that place severe procedural restrictions on the filing of any injury claim against it, whether at the federal, state, or municipal level.
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The Government Entity Must Be Negligent
A government institution, like a private individual or corporation, is only liable for a slip and fall accident if it is responsible for causing it. In some manner, the government body or one of its employees was careless.
Important Dates and Deadlines to Remember
If you want to sue the government, there are rules that must be followed if you want to be successful in your injury claim. The first rule requires notice.
Although the notification requirements of each state and the federal government may differ, the notice must normally include the following information:
- Your name and mailing address
- A detailed account of how the injury occurred
- The date of the accident
- Your claim that the government’s carelessness caused your injury
- A detailed description of your injuries
- A breakdown of your medical expenses and other financial losses to date
- A remark in which you accuse the government of being irresponsible
While procedural rules differ, you can only take your slip and fall injury claim to court after giving the government adequate notice of the claim and giving the government enough time to either formally dismiss the claim or take action on it.
You Must Notify the Appropriate Governmental Entity
It is critical that the notice is delivered to the correct office. Your claim may be barred if you send your notice to the incorrect location.
Furthermore, you must ensure that you file your claim with the appropriate governmental entity in the first place.
If you are injured on the governmental property, contact the administrative offices of the relevant agency or body to ensure that you meet the proper notification requirements.
Following a Slip and Fall on Government Land
Take pictures of the accident scene and any obvious injuries you may have incurred as soon as you can after a slip and fall accident. Broken sidewalks and stairwells can be repaired.
Ice can either melt or be cleared away. Without images documenting the condition of the place at the time of your accident, it can be difficult or impossible to win a case.
To better understand the legal issues that arise in these sorts of disputes and increase your chances of winning, lawyer Grossman recommends you contact a slip and fall lawyer to help you.
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