If you were hurt because a city or municipal agency did not keep its property safe in New York, NY, you may be entitled to compensation. Levine & Slavit PLLC can help you file a claim for your financial losses, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.
Our firm has been serving New York for over 60 years, with 115 years of combined experience between our personal injury attorneys, and tens of millions of dollars recovered for our clients. When you hire our New York municipal liability lawyers, we’ll work hard to secure maximum compensation on your behalf.
Contact our New York offices today at (212) 687 2777 for a free consultation. At that time, you can receive some initial legal advice without any obligations.
How Levine & Slavit PLLC Can Help With Your Municipal Liability Claim in New York, NY
When you are injured on public property because of a city’s negligence, the legal process can be confusing and overwhelming. Municipal liability cases often involve many legal details and strict rules that must be followed. At Levine & Slavit PLLC, our experienced attorneys will handle your case from start to finish while you focus on your recovery.
Our skilled New York personal injury lawyers will help you by:
- Identifying who is liable: We investigate the incident to determine whether a city, county or other municipal entity is responsible for your injuries.
- Collecting the available evidence: We gather police reports, maintenance records, and expert testimony to support your claim.
- Determining your best course of action: We review your case carefully to decide whether to settle or take the matter to court.
- Hiring top-rated experts: We work with engineers, safety experts, and medical professionals who can help prove that negligence caused your injuries.
- Protecting you from comparative fault allegations: We work to ensure that any shared fault does not unfairly reduce your compensation.
- Handling all the paperwork and communications: We take care of every legal detail so you can concentrate on healing.
- Negotiating a full settlement: Our goal is to secure the maximum compensation possible for your losses.
- Taking your case to court in New York if necessary: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to represent you in court.
With decades of experience in municipal liability, our team knows the ins and outs of New York law. Our New York municipal liability attorneys are dedicated to making sure your rights are protected and that you get the help you deserve.
Insurance and Governmental Immunity Considerations for Municipal Liability Cases in New York
Municipal liability cases in New York have their own unique challenges, especially when it comes to insurance and government immunity. Municipalities often carry liability insurance to cover claims for injuries on public property. Municipal liability cases also involve complex rules regarding governmental immunity, which can protect government entities from certain lawsuits.
In many cases, you may be able to file a claim against the city or county’s insurance policy if you can prove that their negligence caused your injury.
Some important issues include:
- Insurance policies: Municipalities are required to have insurance that covers claims arising from unsafe conditions. We will review these policies to see what coverage applies to your case.
- Governmental immunity: New York law provides that many governmental bodies have limited immunity from lawsuits. Our job is to work within these limitations to ensure you receive fair compensation.
- Notice requirements: Municipal liability claims often have strict notice requirements. We help you meet these deadlines so that your claim is not dismissed.
- Limits on recovery: Sometimes, the insurance policy limits or statutory caps on damages may affect the amount you can recover. We will work to maximize your claim despite these challenges.
Understanding these issues is critical to your case. Our experienced team knows how to navigate these obstacles and build a strong case even in complex municipal liability situations.
How Much Is My New York Municipal Liability Claim Worth?
It is hard to put an exact number on your claim until we review all the facts. However, several key factors help determine the value of a municipal liability case.
These factors include:
- The severity of your injuries
- Medical bills and lost wages
- The impact on your daily life
- The strength of the evidence
- Comparative fault
- Insurance policy limits
Our experienced New York personal injury attorneys work hard to assess every aspect of your losses. With a detailed evaluation, we can help you understand the potential value of your claim and guide you on the best path to recover your losses.
Common Causes of Municipal Liability in New York
Municipal liability cases arise from a variety of incidents where public entities fail to maintain safe conditions.
In New York, some common causes include:
- Defective or neglected roadways
- Poorly maintained sidewalks
- Faulty traffic signals or street lighting
- Unsafe public facilities
- Negligence in snow and ice removal
- Improper road design
If you have been injured because a municipal entity did not take proper care, such as in a car accident or slip and fall, you may have a strong case for a municipal liability case. We will investigate every detail to show that the negligence of the city or county led to your injury.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Municipal Liability Injury in New York City?
If you are injured due to a municipality’s negligence, you can recover both economic and non-economic damages. These compensatory damages are meant to help cover all of the losses you have suffered.
In a municipal liability case, you may be eligible for economic damages, such as:
- Medical bills and future medical care: Compensation for all current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity: Reimbursement for the income you lost due to your injury, as well as any reduction in your ability to earn
- Property damage: If your property was damaged as a result of the unsafe conditions, you may be compensated for repair or replacement costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses: Costs related to your injury, such as transportation to medical appointments or home modifications
You may also recover non-economic damages, including:
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and discomfort you have endured
- Emotional distress: Damages for mental anguish, stress, and anxiety caused by the injury
- Loss of quality of life: If your injury has affected your ability to enjoy daily activities or hobbies, you may be compensated for that loss
- Loss of consortium: In some cases, the impact on your family relationships may also be considered
In some extreme cases, you might even be eligible for punitive damages, which are designed to punish the wrongdoer. Our team will help you document every loss so that you receive the total amount of compensation you deserve.
What if I’m Facing Comparative Fault Accusations in My New York, NY Municipal Liability Case?
In some municipal liability cases, you may share a small degree of fault for your injury. New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means you can still receive compensation even if you are partly at fault. However, your recovery may be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.
For example, if you are found to be 20% responsible for your accident, your total compensation might be reduced by 20%. Our lawyers will work hard to minimize any fault attributed to you and to ensure you receive as much compensation as possible.
We understand that even a small degree of fault can be used to lower your claim. That is why it is so important to have an experienced municipal liability lawyer on your side who can effectively argue your case.
How Much Time Do I Have To File a Municipal Liability Lawsuit in New York State?
Time is very important when it comes to filing a lawsuit. To bring legal action against a government entity in New York State, you must generally provide notice within 90 days of your accident and file a claim within 1 year and 90 days. This period is known as the statute of limitations. If you do not provide notice and file your claim within the appropriate time periods, you could lose your right to recover compensation.
There are some exceptions to this rule, so it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Our lawyers will review the facts of your case and help you understand the timeline for filing your claim. We make sure that every legal deadline is met so that your case is not dismissed on a technicality.
Schedule a Free Case Review With Our Experienced New York Municipal Liability Attorneys
Municipal liability cases can be very complicated, but you don’t have to face them alone. If you have been injured because of unsafe public conditions in New York, Levine & Slavit PLLC is here to help. Our experienced New York municipal liability lawyers have a long history of winning cases and recovering tens of millions of dollars for our clients.
Call us today for a free case review. During your consultation, we will listen to your story, answer all your questions, and explain the next steps to help you get the justice you deserve. We are committed to protecting your rights and ensuring you receive full compensation for your injuries.