If you’ve ever dealt with the local bureaucracy, you know it can be a nightmare. When it comes to dealing with any public agency, it can take ten times longer than you think it will. Whether you’re trying to get a permit approved or you need to pay a fine, it’s always an involved process. So, you can imagine how hard it is to win a personal injury case against the city.
There are all sorts of reasons you may have to go into a public building. You could be paying your taxes. Or, maybe you’re already in court for another matter. If you fall or get hurt in some other way, you may suffer pretty serious injuries. Because you’re in a public place, you may think they’d be more willing to help you. That’s not always the case.
Pursuing a public agency for any sort of personal injury case against the city can be difficult. You’ll run into a lot of red tape. Your paperwork may be sent back several times, telling you it wasn’t filled out properly. In the meantime, you’re trying to keep up with doctor’s appointments and copays. It gets to the point where it doesn’t seem worth it to bother at all.’
This is when it’s a good idea to call a personal injury attorney in Augusta, Georgia. They do understand how hard it can be to win a case against a public agency. And, while they can’t guarantee you a win, they can work hard to overcome some of the challenges you’ve been facing.
What Kinds of Accidents Happen in Public Buildings?
You’re just as likely to get hurt in a public building as anywhere else. You could fall on a wet floor. Maybe there’s a piece of ceiling that falls and hits you in the head. There’s no end to what could happen while you’re trying to take care of your personal business. One minute you’re waiting in line and the next thing you know, you’re being taken out on a stretcher.
Just because a building is owner or maintained by the city doesn’t mean it’s any safer than a store or restaurant. In fact, given the age of a lot of the buildings in the city, there could be all sorts of dangerous conditions. Just because it looks clean doesn’t mean it’s safe. If you do fall and get hurt, you should be able to count on the local municipality to take care of your injuries. Sadly, it doesn’t always work out this way.
What Kind of Injuries Could You Suffer in a Slip and Fall in a Public Building?
If you slip and fall in a public building, you could suffer some pretty serious injuries. If the fall was caused by inclement weather, you could fall and hit your head. Or, you could suffer any number of injuries, such as:
- Neck injuries – Depending on how you fall, you could suffer whiplash or a more serious neck injury
- Wrist injuries from trying to break your fall
- Knee injuries, especially if you’re older or not in the best physical shape
- Head injuries – if you bang your head on the hard floor, you could suffer a traumatic brain injury
Any of these could land you in the hospital. It could also mean you need surgery and long-term physical therapy. The city should be responsible for this. Your Augusta personal injury attorney will do their best to make this happen.
Your Lawyer Will Do their Best in a Personal Injury Case Against the City
Just because you hire a lawyer doesn’t mean you won’t face challenges. When you file a claim against the city, it can feel like David going up against Goliath. The city has a lot or power, both explicit and implicit. For example, when the court clerk sees you’re suing the city, they may drag their feet scheduling hearings. Or, they may require your forms to be absolutely perfect before they file your claim.
Yes, your attorney has a better chance of handling these things than you do. They have a relationship with the court staff. They also know exactly what forms you need to do and how they need to be filled out. They’ll also be on alert if anyone tries to do something unfair. They won’t be afraid to call the city out if they take advantage of you.
If you’re dealing with a claim against the city, call and talk to our office right away.
