877-564-0605
Have You Been Injured?
Accidents on public property are a completely different beast than accidents on commercial or private property. If you slip and fall and injure yourself at the grocery store, finding who to hold accountable is fairly easy. But slip and fall at the public library or in a public transit station? Who do you hold responsible and, more importantly, how?
Personal injury cases are complicated, and one wrong move can result in having to pay your own medical bills out of pocket and eating the lost wages that accrued while you recovered. That’s why finding competent legal representation should be the first step you take after an injury. Hall Trial Lawyers knows how to make sure the entity responsible for your injuries compensates you for your damages, even if that entity turns out to be the government.
Call 877-564-0605 to schedule a free consultation with our personal injury team. We are ready to take your case and get you back on your feet.
Where Do Most Public Slip and Falls Happen?
Slip-and-fall accidents can happen anywhere, but certain public spaces are riskier than others, especially when maintenance is poor and hazards are ignored. Sidewalks are a major source of slip-and-fall injuries, especially when cracked pavement, uneven surfaces, or inadequate lighting make them unsafe. Public parking lots can be just as dangerous, especially during or after bad weather when water, oil, or debris isn’t properly cleaned up.
Government buildings, like courthouses and libraries, are also common sites, primarily because of the sheer volume of daily foot traffic, which increases the chances of spills, broken handrails, or worn-out steps leading to accidents and injuries. Train stations, bus terminals, and airports pose risks because everyone is in such a rush, and hazards may go unnoticed.
Public property claims often follow different rules than private ones. If the city or state is involved, deadlines to file a claim can come out of nowhere, and missing one could end your case before it even begins.
Who Do You Sue in a Public Slip and Fall Case?
When you slip and fall on public property, figuring out who to sue for your damages isn’t always an easy question to answer. In most cases, the responsible party is a government entity, like the city, county, or state. That could mean the local parks department, the transit authority, or whoever was in charge of maintaining the space where you were injured. Depending on the situation, a third-party contractor could have been in charge of the space and could also be held accountable.
You can win this case, but you will need experienced legal representation to do so.
What Evidence Should You Collect After a Fall?
In public fall cases, evidence can disappear fast, sometimes within only a few hours. City workers may clean up the hazard, security footage may be overwritten, and witnesses can become impossible to track down. That’s why you have to act quickly!
If you’re physically able to, or if someone you trust is willing to help, try to gather as much of the following as possible:
- Photos of the hazard, like wet floors, cracked pavement, debris, or missing signage
- Wide shots of the area to show lighting, layout, and warning signs
- Clothing and shoes worn at the time of the fall to prove your attire wasn’t the cause of your accident
- Names and contact info of witnesses who saw the incident or the hazard
- A copy of any incident report filed with staff or public employees
- Security camera footage from nearby buildings or public surveillance
- Medical records showing your injuries and treatment timeline
- Proof of lost wages or work restrictions from a doctor
The more you document right away, the stronger your claim will be. If you’re not sure what evidence to gather or how to gain access to it, a personal injury lawyer will be able to help.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
Depending on the state you reside in, you generally have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, if your injury happened on public property and the government or a government organization is responsible, your timeline shrinks considerably.
Once you file the government claim, the agency has 45 days to respond. If they deny it, you’ll have six months from the denial date to file a lawsuit. There isn’t space for error; these deadlines are strict and rarely extended.
You must act fast if you want a successful claim.
Are You Ready to Get Started?
Hall Trial Lawyers is ready to take on your claim and fight for the compensation you deserve, regardless of who is responsible for your injuries. Whether you are seeking damages against the local grocery store or the state government, our team will take on your case and fight for what’s fair.
We offer a free consultation, so you have nothing to lose; call 877-564-0605 to talk with our team and find out how we can help you. Don’t try to fight the government alone. Have someone on your side who has experience getting results.
