A lot of personal injury claims are person versus person, or at least one person’s insurance company against another. However, you can also sue a business or even the government if you believe they played a role in your injuries. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at why you might file a claim against a government agency if you are injured in Minnesota.
Suing The Government For Your Injuries
Going after a government agency for damages in the wake of an injury is a little more complex than a standard injury claim. You also want to make sure that you don’t delay in beginning the process, because there are some strict time constraints that apply to injury cases against the government.
In Minnesota, you have 180 days from the date of injury to notify the appropriate agency of your intent to file a claim. That’s why it is so important to connect with a lawyer and ensure everything is filed on time and correctly, because a delay can end up tanking your case. If the government denies your request for compensation, you can file a formal lawsuit, and your deadline will vary based on the specific type of incident. For more information on the standard statute of limitations, check out this related blog post.
One way in which an injury claim against a government agency is similar to a standard personal injury case is in regards to the damages you can seek. You are eligible to collect compensation for things like medical expenses, lost wages, lost future potential earnings, property damage and assistive devices and services. You may also be able to collect for some factors that may be difficult to put a price tag on, like mental anguish, a decrease in your quality of life and pain and suffering. Again, this speaks to the importance of hiring a lawyer to assist with your case and ensure that you’re not leaving money on the table.
You can bring a tort claim against the government for a number of different types of injuries, including but not limited to car accidents, slip and fall claims and wrongful death cases. However, just because you were injured on federally maintained property, doesn’t mean that you automatically have a claim. If you step in a hole and hurt your ankle while using a public access logging road in search of that perfect fishing spot, you can’t just automatically sue the government because the injury happened on federally owned property.
Oftentimes, these cases involve a party being injured by a government employee during the scope of their duties, like if you are struck by a postal worker in their vehicle while you’re jogging. However, you can also collect damages if you slip on a wet spot in the entry of the social security office. Minnesota employs thousands of federal employees and has numerous government offices across the state, so it’s not uncommon for a person to be injured and place the federal government at fault.
If you find yourself in this sticky situation, pick up the phone and call the team at Hey Workers to learn about your options. Winning an injury case is never easy, but it’s going to be especially tough when you’re trying to collect from a government agency, so you need a professional in your corner who can strengthen your case and markedly improve your chances of winning. For more information or to learn how we can help with your case, give our team a call today at (844) 439-9675.
