Slip and fall accidents are among the most common reasons why Virginia residents are injured. If you have been harmed but need to file your claim against the government, it’s important to know how it works.
When is a government entity liable for a slip and fall?
Negligence must be involved to hold a government entity liable for injuries sustained in a slip and fall accident.
In order to hold a government entity such as a city or town liable after a slip and fall, a dangerous condition must have caused the accident. In other words, you can’t sue if you failed to look where you were going and tripped. Broken, uneven sidewalks or situations like icy surfaces that went unaddressed could warrant a claim. However, the government must have known about the dangerous condition.
How can you file your claim against the government?
Whenever there is a personal injury claim made against the government, it requires that a notice of claim is sent beforehand. This gives ample warning to the government entity so that it can respond before you file your personal injury claim.
In your notice of claim, you must include the details of why you wish to file and the circumstances of your slip and fall accident and injuries. You should also include a specific dollar amount that you are seeking in compensation to cover your damages. Be aware that some jurisdictions place a cap on the damages you can seek.
It’s important to be careful that you file the notice of claim in the proper place. If it gets to the wrong municipality, you could be denied compensation for your injuries.
Injuries from a slip and fall can be serious and require lengthy care.