After sustaining an injury due to a slip and fall accident, navigating legal complexities and requirements can be daunting and overwhelming. Medical expenses coupled with potential time taken off work to recover can result in you accumulating piles of bills and debt. If your accident was caused by negligent behavior on the part of a property owner you may be entitled to collect compensation to cover the costs associated with your injuries. If the slip and fall accident took place on government property, however, there are some intricacies to consider. Contact a Pike County, KY premises liability lawyer for legal representation and advice.
What is Sovereign Immunity?
Sovereign immunity generally protects government entities from being sued and shields them from certain legal liabilities. This rule can make it difficult for individuals to pursue legal action against the government even if they are at fault. However, Kentucky state law waives the sovereign immunity rule meaning that an injured party can seek compensation from the government for their injuries. Many states have a waiver of some sort to allow the government to be found liable for negligent behavior.
Can the Government Be Held Responsible?
Depending on the situation the government can be held liable for injuries sustained by an individual. To have a valid case you must prove that the entity failed to fulfill their responsibility of maintaining a relatively safe environment for patrons and that their negligence caused the victim’s injury.
Proof is paramount in successfully bringing legal action to a government body. The Kentucky Claims Commission allows claims that are related to damages sustained to a person which resulted from negligence by the state or their employees and agencies.
Steps to Take If You Slip and Fall on Government Property
If you had a slip and fall accident on government property you should act quickly. Consider the following when deciding what actions to take to pursue compensation.
- Immediately seek medical attention. You should prioritize your health and well-being by getting to a doctor or hospital as soon as possible to be evaluated and treated.
- Begin collecting evidence. If you are going to win your case and receive compensation you need to prove that your injuries were caused by negligent behavior on the government’s part. If you can, take photographs and videos from the scene of the accident. It is easy for a spill to be cleaned up or a hazard to be removed, so you want to ensure you have proof that the danger was there originally. Ensure that an accident or police report is filed with detailed information. Collect witness testimony from anyone nearby when the accident occurred.
- Work with a skilled legal team. An attorney will be equipped with a plethora of knowledge and experience that will help you successfully bring your case against the government and receive compensation.
- Research statute of limitations and other requirements. Ensure you are asking the right questions like what is the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim against the government, and does anything specific need to be filed to ensure you do not miss out on your opportunity for compensation.
