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If you or a loved one suffered harm while visiting a poorly maintained public park or pool, you may wonder if you have grounds for legal restitution. If a government entity was negligent in the maintenance of public property, you could be eligible for legal recourse.
However, filing a premises liability claim against a municipality is difficult without guidance from a qualified injury attorney. You may want to obtain a Columbus public property liability lawyer to discuss your options.
A public property’s duty of care to its residents, whether it be the city of Columbus, Franklin County, or some other government agency, depends on specific statutes in Ohio. In other words, the standard of care could be different depending on the type of governmental agency or public property on which an injury occurred. In some cases, given the difference between a city, municipality, and a federal government, there may be a limit as to where a person can bring a claim.
Most jurisdictions are going to have a clear-cut set of rules as to what those jurisdictions are not responsible for. In Ohio, this is directed by the Ohio revised code. If a public entity decides to offer greater protection, it will be the state regulations that apply. This can easily become complicated, which is why our trustworthy team of local attorneys can help with filing a public property liability claim.
It is important to have an experienced attorney assess the situation and determine whether the case falls within an exception to bringing a claim against the governmental agency, or whether the agency’s immunity would apply, barring the individual from having a claim. If the injury on government-owned property is a situation in which immunity does not apply, then the same rules of negligence would apply for a government or a private entity.
Premises liability claims may involve the state of Ohio revised code, Ohio administrative regulations, county-wide building regulations and/or zoning laws, and municipality ordinances or laws that would apply within each jurisdiction. Furthermore, each jurisdiction may have a different level of requirement. Our team of Columbus lawyers are experienced with the legal nuances of filing a public property liability claim against a government entity and can help you determine how to proceed.
In Ohio, there are caps on damages. Depending on what type of governmental body to which an injured person brings an action, the damages can be further capped in the court of claims or by other state regulations. Additionally, the Ohio revised codes statutes can limit the government’s exposure or allow others to not make a claim for certain damages.
Therefore, if you were injured on public property, it is important to speak with well-practiced attorneys from the area. Our seasoned team can provide much needed guidance and help calculate what damages may be recoverable.
Bringing a civil claim on your own can be challenging for any type of case, but especially in cases where the defendant is a government entity. Municipalities have certain requirements, immunities, and exceptions that do not apply to other premises liability claims.
Speak with a Columbus public property liability lawyer at our firm and allow our team of experienced attorneys guide you through this complex process. We look forward to speaking with you.