Can You File a Personal Injury Lawsuit against the Government?

Mount Laurel Personal Injury Attorneys

Municipalities, state-run governmental entities and federal agencies can be held financially responsible for injuries that occur on their property or as a result of the actions of their employees. Consequently, local, state and federal entities can be sued when negligence on the part of government workers or government agencies causes injuries or fatalities. However, it is important to keep in mind that municipalities and government agencies are typically held to a different standard of liability than individuals, corporations or small businesses.

Additionally, in personal injury claims involving New Jersey public entities, an injured party must file a claim within 90 days of an accident.

Public Entities — Different Rules, Different Issues

In general, state-owned facilities and agencies may have certain restrictions in place that govern who is allowed in certain areas of buildings or what codes and regulations apply to a facility or employee, or they may be responsible for investigating themselves in cases involving personal injuries. Public transportation authorities in particular typically have an investigative arm responsible for determining what happened in bus, train and subway accidents.

For instance, New Jersey Transit (NJT) uses its own investigative team to investigate the causes of bus or train accidents. As such, it’s important to work with a personal injury attorney who can conduct an independent investigation and take steps to ensure that NJT investigators don’t cut corners or reach a conclusion that is overly sympathetic to NJT employees.

Additionally, there may be a statute of limitations that governs how long an injured person has to bring a lawsuit against a government entity. For example, people injured on a public bus or train in New Jersey have six months to bring a lawsuit against the NJT.

What Can Government Entities Be Held Liable For?

For the most part, a government entity can be held liable for injuries that occur as a result of negligence on its part. For example, municipalities, local and state governments, and federal agencies can be held financially accountable for injuries that result from:

• Car accidents involving a government vehicle
• Crumbling sidewalks
• Potholes, obscured traffic signs and improperly graded roads and highways
• Collapsed roofs or exposure to toxic materials involving government structures
• Malfunctioning elevators or escalators
• Slips and falls in government buildings
• Fires in government buildings
• Public transportation accidents
• Negligence on the part of doctors or nurses in state-run hospitals

Protect Your Rights — Contact Mount Laurel Personal Injury Attorneys

After an injury, dealing with government agencies and investigators can be confusing and frustrating. Given the resources available to government entities, it’s essential to work with an experienced personal injury attorney who understands how to investigate accidents on government property while protecting your rights should government investigators want to talk to you.

To learn how we can protect your rights and hold the government financially accountable for your injuries, contact Mount Laurel personal injury attorneys at Taylor & Boguski today.