Personal injuries can happen anytime, anywhere, and to anyone. Whether you slip and fall on a wet floor in a government building, or you are in a traffic accident involving a government vehicle, the question arises whether you can sue the government agency or not. The answer is yes, but the procedure for filing a claim against a governmental agency is quite complicated. This blog post will discuss whether you can file a personal injury case against governmental agencies like the City of Philadelphia, the Borough of West Chester, or SEPTA.
Generally speaking, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against a governmental agency if you can prove that their negligence or wrongdoing caused your injury. However, there are some conditions that you must meet before filing a claim against the government. The first requirement is to file a notice of claim or a notice of intent within a specific period, usually anywhere between thirty days to six months, depending on the agency involved.
The second requirement is to prove that the governmental agency’s employee was acting within his or her scope of employment when the injury occurred. This means that if a city employee, for example, causes a traffic accident while driving a city vehicle in the course of his or her job, then you may be able to file a lawsuit against the city for the damages suffered.
Another important thing to consider while filing a personal injury case against the government is the statute of limitations. In most cases, the time limit for filing a claim against the government is shorter than that for filing against a private entity. You must file a notice of claim or intent to sue within a specific time frame, and failure to do so can result in your claim being dismissed.
When it comes to governmental agencies like SEPTA, the procedure for filing a personal injury lawsuit is particularly complicated. SEPTA is a quasi-governmental agency, which means it enjoys some immunity from lawsuits. However, if you can prove that SEPTA’s negligent or intentional actions caused your injury, then you may be able to obtain compensation. SEPTA is also subject to the notice of claim and statute of limitations requirements mentioned above.
In summary, it is possible to file a personal injury case against the government, but the procedure is complicated. You must file a notice of claim or intent to sue within a specific time frame, prove that the government employee was acting within his or her scope of employment, and demonstrate that their negligence or wrongful actions caused your injury. If you have suffered a personal injury, you should consult an experienced personal injury lawyer to guide you through the complicated claims process and help you obtain the compensation you deserve.