Whether you have to visit the post office of your local municipal building to run an errand, the last thing you anticipate is sustaining an injury that leaves you with exuberant medical bills. As such, understanding your legal options in these circumstances is critical to ensure you can recover the compensation you deserve. Unfortunately, many are unaware of their options when they are injured on government property. As such, the following blog and personal injury attorneys in Baltimore County can help you explore the necessary steps if you wish to pursue a claim against the government for injuries sustained in an accident.
What Injuries Are Common on Government Property?
One of the most common injuries you can endure on government property is a slip and fall. These accidents are common because there are a number of circumstances under which they can occur. For example, you may slip and fall in a government building due to wet spots on the ground, broken floorboards, unanchored carpeting, cords and debris on the ground, or even unsafe stairwells. You can also be injured on the premises outside of the building if the city does not clear snow or ice, leaves walkways covered in debris, or fails to remedy unsafe walkways, you can fall as a result of the negligence.
However, slips and falls aren’t the only accidents you can be involved in. If you utilize public transportation, such as the BaltimoreLink buses or subways, and an accident involving these vehicles occurs in which the city was negligent, the government can face liability for the injuries you’ve endured.
How Do I File a Claim Against the Government?
If you are injured on government property, whether you slip and fall in a municipal building or you are injured in a bus accident on a city vehicle, it’s imperative to understand your legal options. Generally, the government is protected from lawsuits. However, under the Tort Claims Act, states have waived their rights to this coverage, but they have imposed certain rules. The most notable is that those who wish to file a lawsuit against the government after an injury must first file a Notice of Claim.
A Notice of Claim is essentially a letter to the government informing them of your intent to file a lawsuit. It’s critical to understand that, in Maryland, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally three years. However, when you intend to sue the government, this statute is lowered. As such, you must send a Notice of Claim within one year in order to pursue a claim, which is an increase from the previous 180-day limit to file a claim. While you do not need to file the lawsuit within one year, the Notice of Claim must be sent.
In the claim, you’ll need to include information about the accident, such as where and when it occurred, a brief description of the accident, and the damages you seek.
When you’re injured and navigating the area math of an injury, the last thing you need is to deal with a complicated legal matter. As such, working with an experienced personal injury attorney from the Law Offices of Markey & Orsi is in your best interests. Our firm understands the complexities of these matters, which is why we are committed to doing everything possible to help you through these challenges. Connect with us today to learn how we can fight for you.