Common Premises Liability Hazards in Public Places
If you’ve suffered an injury on private property as a result of the commercial property owner’s negligence, you’re facing a challenging legal process. If, however, the property in question is public property, it’s managed by a government entity, such as a county or municipality, which adds an additional layer of difficulty. If you’ve suffered an injury in such an accident, our experienced Nashville premises liability attorneys at Bednarz & Bednarz welcome the opportunity to help.
Holding a Government Agency Legally Liable
In Tennessee, individuals are allowed to hold government agencies legally liable for injuries sustained on public property that are the result of negligence. The legal intricacies that apply, however, are more complex and limiting.
These claims are guided by the Tennessee Claims Commission Act. This act has jurisdiction over common claims relating to negligently constructed and negligently maintained public property. Successful claims in the state are capped at $300,000 in damages per individual and $1 million per incident.
Claims that go to court are generally heard by the Davidson County Chancery Court or a specialized administrative tribunal. The deciding factor is whether the government entity is a local or state agency.
Common Examples in Nashville
Your premises liability claim in Nashville will be unique to you, but most fall into basic categories like the following:
- Slip and fall accidents on poorly maintained public sidewalks, including those caused by uneven walking surfaces, as well as cracked or otherwise damaged public pedestrian routes
- Tripping hazards and unsafe playground equipment in city parks
- Damaged asphalt in public parking lots
- Public walkways that are made slippery by debris, snow, or ice, or by pooled water
- Safety or security risks caused by inadequate lighting and similar issues on public grounds, including parking garages
- Accidents caused by poorly designed, constructed, or maintained stairways
- Injuries sustained at inadequately maintained or managed community-run swimming pools
- Elevators or escalators in county or municipal administrative buildings that malfunction
The Legal Process in Nashville
To hold a government agency responsible for your legal damages in Nashville, you’ll need to follow the strict guidelines set by the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act. These include filing a formal administrative claim or notice and proving the government’s negligence in the matter. In addition, an abbreviated one-year deadline applies. This highlights the challenges involved and the need for the professional legal guidance of a trusted premises liability lawyer.
Our Experienced Nashville Premises Liability Lawyers Care About You and Your Claim
Yes, premises liability claims against government entities are more complex. Still, they are also important, and yours can make a big difference in your ability to recover as fully as possible. Our dedicated Nashville premises liability attorneys at Bednarz & Bednarz appreciate the importance of your claim, and we’ll leave no stone unturned in our focused efforts to help. For more information about everything we can do for you, please don’t delay reaching out by contacting us online or giving our firm a call at 615-623-8789 today.
