If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident on public property, you may be entitled to file an injury claim for compensation. However, these cases are often more complex than claims involving private property due to government immunity laws, strict procedural rules, and shorter deadlines. For more information please visit DUI Defense

Here’s what you need to know:

✅ 1. Establishing Liability

To succeed in a claim, you typically need to prove:

  • A dangerous condition existed (e.g., wet floor, uneven pavement, poor lighting).
  • The government entity knew or should have known about the condition.
  • They failed to take reasonable steps to fix or warn about it.
  • This failure directly caused your injury.

📍 2. Common Locations of Public Slip and Fall Accidents

  • Sidewalks
  • Public parks
  • Government buildings (courthouses, libraries)
  • Public transit stations
  • Public schools
  • Parking lots maintained by a city or town

⏰ 3. Notice Requirements and Deadlines

Public entities often have special rules for filing injury claims:

  • You usually must file a Notice of Claim within a short time frame, typically 30 to 180 days from the date of injury.
  • If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to sue, regardless of the strength of your case.

📋 4. What to Do After the Accident

  • Report the incident to the relevant public authority or department.
  • Document the scene with photos or videos.
  • Get names and contact info of any witnesses.
  • Seek medical attention right away — your health and your claim depend on it.
  • Consult an attorney experienced in claims against government entities.

💵 5. Potential Compensation

If your claim is successful, you may recover:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Future medical costs
  • Permanent disability or disfigurement (if applicable)

⚠️ 6. Challenges in These Cases

  • Sovereign immunity: Some government bodies are protected from lawsuits unless exceptions apply.
  • Proving notice: You need to show the government knew about the hazard.
  • Comparative negligence: If you were partly at fault (e.g., texting while walking), your compensation might be reduced.