Injured on a Government Property? Here is What Should Know

Local, county, and state governments own many properties, ranging from office buildings and schools to parks and sidewalks. Just like private businesses and homeowners, the authorities have the duty to maintain their property and make them safe for the public.

If you are injured on a public property, you can seek compensation to your damages by filing a claim against the government. However, the legal procedures for premises liability claims are different from making a claim for an injury occurring on a private property.

Governmental Premises Liability in Illinois

Government entities are responsible for making property under their dominion safe for private visitors, as well as contractors that are hired to make improvements and repairs. When a government agency fails to control or fix dangerous conditions on a property it owns, it is considered as negligence on part of that entity.

Previously, the government enjoyed sovereign immunity against such cases that rendered victims unable to seek compensation for injuries sustained on its property or inflicted by its employees. However, the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) has eased this immunity, and has given people the right to bring injury claims against government agencies and their employees. However, there are several limitations to the FTCA. For instance, plaintiffs must present their claim in writing to the responsible parties, and the cases also have a reduced statute of limitations, which is 2 years.

When a hazardous condition results in injuries to a visitor, the government is liable to compensate for the damages sustained by the injured person. Damages for government tort claims may include lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and out-of-pocket expenses.

Proving Negligence in Premises Liability Claims

In premises liability cases against private property owners, the plaintiff can receive full compensation for their injuries. However, in cases involving government entities, there are limitations to the settlement amounts. Statutory guidelines exclude punitive damages in governmental premises liability cases, which can reduce the amount of compensation you may otherwise receive from a private injury claim.

To establish negligence, you must prove that:

• The property is owned or controlled by the government entity (defendant).
• A dangerous condition existed and caused the injury.
• The defendant knew or should have known about the existence of the dangerous condition.
• The defendant had a reasonable amount of time to fix, replace, or repair the dangerous condition, but did not.
• Your hazardous conduct or recklessness did not cause the injury.

A premises liability claim may include accidents occurring on or by municipal, federal, or state property, such as:

• Falling objects from government buildings
• Government owned or regulated vehicles, including firetrucks, garbage trucks and police cars
• National and state parks
• Poor security
• Public schools or universities
• Public transportation injuries
• Sidewalk or street hazards, such as construction or roadway design
• Slip and fall accidents on government property
• Drowning in public pools
• Injuries at tax offices, post offices, the DMV, and more

Premises liability cases against government entities entail a lot of complexities and special rules. You should consider working with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you understand your rights and navigate through the legal system. Contact the Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C. at (847) 395-2200 or online today to schedule your initial consultation.