Proving Damages in a Personal Injury Suit Against the Government

When an individual injures themselves on city property, they more often than not assume that the injury was a result of their own carelessness. If the injury occurred as a result of an unfilled pothole, unclear signage, or unforeseeable hazards on city property though, then the injured individual is not at fault—the city is. However, many people do not think to sue the city for damages, as suing the government seems out of the realm of possibility. In actuality, filing a personal injury claim against the government for injuries sustained on government property can be done; it may just require a little more planning and a lot more legal assistance than if you were to file a personal injury claim against an individual or other, smaller entity.

Notifying the Government of Your Claim

Just as if you were to file a personal injury suit against a smaller entity, you will need to notify the government of the claim via a “notice of claim.” This notice informs the city that you are filing a claim against them for injuries sustained on their property, and that you intend to seek compensation. When filing a claim against the government, you typically have a very short window in which to file your notice; unfortunately, if you miss that window, you may be out of luck.

Evidence of Damages

In any Tampa personal injury lawsuit, you are required to prove that you actually did suffer damages as a result of the defendant’s conduct. The same holds true when bringing a personal injury claim against the government. In order to file a successful claim against the government, you must prove the following:

• Injury can be proved via medical bills and medical records. If you intend to file a personal injury lawsuit, it would be in your best interest to seek medical attention as soon after the accident as possible. Keep careful track of all your treatment, and if you pay out-of-pocket for any medical expenses, be sure to note that in a journal. Once your doctors have determined that you are fully recovered, request a copy of all medical bills and medical records, including any treatment records and diagnostic test results.
• Lost Wages. In order to get compensation for lost wages or reduced income, keep track of all the days you missed out on work because of your injuries. Ask your employer to provide you a copy of your wage history, that way you can show the courts the difference between what you were making pre-injury, and what you are now making post-injury.
• Pain and suffering. While it can be difficult to prove pain and suffering, it is not impossible. If you suffered emotionally as a result of your accident, be sure to let your Tampa personal injury lawyer know about the emotional duress, and we will do everything in our power to ensure that you receive just compensation for any fear, grief, worry, or inconvenience that your accident caused.
  

In a personal injury claim against the government, you want to present as much evidence of your injuries and losses as possible if you hope to be awarded the damages you need to recover.

Retain a Tampa Personal Injury Lawyer

At The Pendas Law Firm, our Tampa personal injury lawyers can help you file a successful personal injury claim against any entity—even the government. If you or a loved one were injured on government property, and as a direct result of the city’s carelessness, you are entitled to just compensation. However, going against the government can be tricky. Our Tampa lawyers can help you navigate the law surrounding personal injury claims against the government, and help you prove your injuries so that you may walk away with the damages you deserve.

Contact our Tampa personal injury law firm at 1-844-200-0000 or online to schedule your private consultation today. We also serve clients in the Orlando, Fort Myers, Miami, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale & Jacksonville areas.