It is not unheard of for the government to be at fault for a personal injury claim. In fact, it happens more than many people might realize. When it does happen, we find that people often assume they have no resources. They assume that they cannot sue the government. The truth is that you can – but it is a different process. Keep reading to learn about the steps and then contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
You Must Start by Filing an Administrative Claim
Unlike other types of personal injury claims, a claim against the government starts with an administrative claim. No matter if it is a city, state, or federal government you are sing, you file this claim according to the procedures of the office against which you are filing it. You have only six months to do this. Note that this is much shorter than the two years you would have with a typical claim.
Next You File a Lawsuit
Once you file the administrative claim, the government has up to 45 days to deliberate. If they deny the claim then you can file a lawsuit in court and you have an additional six months to file. If you do not get any response in writing then you will automatically have two years to file your lawsuit.
Car Accidents Involving Government Vehicles Are One of the Most Common Examples
There are many government vehicles a person can become involved in an accident with. For example, you could be involved in a city bus accident, or you could be involved in an accident with a car that is being driven by an on-duty government employee. In either case, you might have a right to sue for pain and suffering. If there were several parties at fault, you can sue them all separately.
Premises Accidents Often Occur on Government Property
As is true of every property owner, government agencies are required to ensure that their property is safe and free from hazardous conditions. They are required to inspect the property on a regular basis and either correct or warn against dangers. If they do not do so, and you slip and fall on their property, then you might have grounds to hire a premises accident attorney.
Contact an Experienced Attorney Today for Additional Help
If you have suffered any type of injury due to a government entity or their employees, then it is worth talking to an attorney to find out what your options are. You can do that by reaching out to Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation. We are standing by to help you find the best way forward.
