It is always devastating when you slip and fall. An injury requiring medical care is also overwhelming. If you fall on government property, can you collect damages for your injuries?
More than 6 million people visited the emergency room in 2019 because of fall-related injuries. If you have mounting medical bills because of a fall on government property, keep these things in mind.
You must show the government entity was liable
The same as with a private business, a government entity is only liable if:
- Either the entity itself or a governmental employee was negligent
- Your accident was the result of that negligence
You must prove the conditions were unsafe. You must also show the government should have known the area was unsafe yet did not fix the problem.
You must provide documented evidence
Document your injuries including taking photographs. Take pictures of your injuries at all stages. Also, take pictures of the scene of the accident. Such photographs could be your most vital evidence.
You must give the government notice
Under most laws, you must give a government entity notice that you are going to file a lawsuit. Depending on the governmental office, you might have as little as 30 days to give notice.
The government requires time to either deny negligence or take some other action. If the government does not act, then you will have to go to court. Keep in mind that there is a statute of limitations. If you have a strong case, you must file suit quickly.