A question that most people fret over is whether they can sue the government for a slip and fall accident that happens on government property. The answer is Yes. If the government failed to ensure the safety of the visitors by being negligent in the upkeep and maintenance of the property, then it is liable for the accident occurring in that property.
However, you may not be able to enjoy the privileges that you get for a normal slip and fall accident case when suing the government. There are strict regulations imposed by the government when it comes to suing a government agency. Hence you have to be really careful when filing a lawsuit against the government for getting compensation for a slip and fall accident claim.
The Government Entity Should Be Negligent
Like other slip and fall cases, for establishing the liability, you should prove that the governmental entity is responsible for the accident. For this, you have to show that the government entity or an employee somehow showed negligence and this was the reason for your accident.
Just because you fell on government property does not mean that the authority that owns or manages the property is liable for the accident. There should have been some unsafe condition or any other problem which made this property unsafe. In addition to this, you have to also prove that the governmental entity exhibited negligence in taking reasonable care to avoid the situation.
Important time and notice deadlines
When filing a lawsuit against a governmental entity, you have to follow some strict rules and regulations. Usually, there will be some basic legal requirements for the claim to be valid. The first rule to follow is the “notice” requirement.
Before you sue any government entity including the federal government, the state or a municipality, you have to file a formal notice regarding the injury with the right entity. This notice must include the following details:
- Your name and address
- The date of the injury
- An accurate summary of the incident
- A statement to show the negligence of the governmental authority
- Your allegation regarding how the negligence of the governmental agency resulted in the accident
- A detailed description of your injuries
- A description of the financial losses you incurred including medical bills and other related expenses.
Depending on the government agency you are suing, the deadline for filing this notice can be as short as 30 days.
Contacting slip and fall attorneys
When you are filing a lawsuit against a governmental entity, even a small mistake may result in denial of your claim. Therefore, it is better to consult slip and fall accident attorneys for filing the lawsuit on your behalf. As they will have good experience and expertise in this field, they can help you to complete the procedures accurately. Visit https://davidovichlaw.com/ if you want to know more details about suing a government entity.