When you sue the government for personal injury, the process differs from that of a typical lawsuit. The main difference is that you must file a “notice of claim” first, telling the government that you plan to sue. What some people do not realize is that claimants are not given that much time to do this. It’s important to consult our Monmouth County personal injury attorneys right away if you’re planning on suing the government.
How Long Do I Have to File a Notice of Claim?
You have 90 days to file a notice of claim against the state. However, certain municipalities and cities can set stricter time limits of their own. You may be required to act within as few as 30 days! This is why it’s a good idea to see a lawyer as soon as you are able to.
Do I Need a Lawyer’s Help to File a Notice of Claim?
You do not necessarily need a lawyer’s help to file a notice of claim, but they can make sure that you are aware of any deadlines and that your claim is not missing any crucial information. If you submit a notice of claim with mistakes or missing information, that can delay the process and you do not have much time to waste here.
Your attorney can also tell you what to do after filing your claim and help you build the strongest possible case. Negotiating for a fair compensation offer can be difficult, but we have plenty of experience fighting for our clients.
Can I Sue the Government For Pain and Suffering?
Here is another way in which cases against the government differ from traditional personal injury cases in New Jersey. You may not be able to sue for pain and suffering when you are recovering compensation for things like medical expenses and lost wages. That is because these suits are mostly meant to reimburse you for the quantifiable costs of the accident and that is all.
You would have to suffer an injury that disables or disfigures you to pursue pain and suffering damages. Your medical expenses also have to exceed a specific amount. Your lawyer would be able to tell you if you are entitled to such compensation.
What Kinds of Accidents Can I Sue a Government Entity Over?
You can sue a government entity over all kinds of accidents. If you got injured and you believe that negligence was to blame, you can pursue compensation. Some examples of times when people may have a valid claim against the government include:
- Car accidents involving government-owned vehicles
- Public transit accidents
- Falls on government property
- Accidents caused by the negligence of any public employee
- Police chases that cause injuries to uninvolved motorists
Schedule Your Free Case Consultation
If you want to sue the government for personal injury, you shouldn’t waste any time. Contact the Wilton Law Firm and ask to schedule a free case consultation. We can tell you more about how this process works and how our attorneys can help you fight for the compensation that you deserve.