Accidents happen all the time and often they are not your fault. If you trip over on a city sidewalk or are hit by a vehicle driven by a government employee, you may be entitled to compensation from the city.
However, filing a claim against any government entity can be problematic. It is best to get advice from a lawyer who has had experience dealing with claims against a city before making a decision about legal action.
Damages You May Receive if Making a Claim Against the City
Most people who have been injured by the actions of a government employee, or because of negligence displayed by a government agency, will want to recover the cost of medical treatment and any lost earnings if they have had to stay away from work because of their injuries. There is no difference between the sorts of damages claimed from the government and those that might be claimed from a private individual or organization.
The differences arise from the tighter time limits imposed and the process involved which is more complicated and long-winded. That means that any personal injury claim against the city of L.A. should include the same demands as those against any other negligent party.
Why Consider a Lawyer?
The compensation process against any L.A. city government entity must go through the initial stage of filing a ‘notice of claim.’ This has to be filed relatively soon after the injury to be considered. The claim must include all details of the injury and why it is considered to be the fault of the city. It helps to use a personal injury lawyer to prepare this initial claim to ensure it is not rejected at first sight for being incomplete.
In most cases, these claims are rejected by the particular city agency or department, but this does then allow you to file a personal injury claim as you would have done if it had not been a government agency involved in the first place. You are much more likely to ensure your documentation is complete if you use a lawyer to guide you through the process. Generally speaking, the more serious the injury, the more important it is to get properly compensated and that means it is advisable to have legal help.
Work With a Personal Injury Lawyer Today
It doesn’t make sense trying to tackle a personal injury claim against the city of L.A. all on your own. Most personal injury attorneys provide free consultations to discuss specific injury claim cases and work on a contingency fee basis. You are unlikely to pay any legal fees until a claim against L.A. is successfully negotiated in your favor.
To be connected with a personal injury lawyer in your area today, fill out our free case evaluation form found on this page.
Additional Resources
*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against the city of Los Angeles, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
