Filing a Claim after Being Injured from a Cracked Sidewalk

Did you know that a cracked sidewalk can cause injury? You can also file a claim if you have been injured from a cracked sidewalk.

However, just like every personal injury case, negligence must be found. If there is negligence, you could receive damages to help pay medical bills.

Cracked Sidewalks

Sidewalks are all around, but not all of them are safe. Some of them have chipped concrete, loose bricks, crumbling cobblestone, or cracked pavements. When these cracks are present, they could cause injuries such as head trauma, a broken hip, broken leg, or broken arm.

These injuries can lead to high medical bills, which shouldn’t be your responsibility if negligence was found. This is why you should consider filing a claim so you can receive compensation to help pay for any medical bills or loss of wages due to the injury.

Of course, anyone can be injured from a cracked sidewalk. However, senior citizens, children, those with strollers, those using a cane, those with walkers, and those in wheelchairs are at a higher risk.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim

When filing a claim after being injured from a cracked sidewalk, the location of the sidewalk will play a role.

Sidewalks on residential and business property must be kept safe. This becomes the responsibility of the home or business owner. Apartment complexes are included in this as well. Most apartments and housing areas have their own rules and regulations in place where the property, including sidewalks, must be well-maintained.

When there is an issue, the owner will usually receive a notice and have a certain amount of time to get the problem fixed. If they don’t do this in a timely manner, they could face getting a ticket along with a fine.

Some sidewalks are located on government property, like government buildings and post offices. If the sidewalk is not adjourning a private property, then the federal, state and municipal authority is responsible.

No matter the location, all sidewalks must be safe. However, when it comes to government-owned sidewalks, there are special rules in place to protect your local government from being held responsible for injury on their property, like from a cracked sidewalk.

Sovereign Immunity is in place so that the government is protected from lawsuits from citizens. But that doesn’t mean you are defeated right away.

If you have been injured due to an unsafe sidewalk at a post office, you could sue them in federal court thanks to the Tort claims act. Keep in mind though that it is completely different than a claim against a homeowner or business owner. You will need to follow strict deadlines and there is no room for error in these cases.

Working with an Attorney

When filing any type of personal injury claim, work with a personal injury lawyer in Philadelphia for a better chance at a successful claim.

To move forward with a claim, negligence needs to be found. This means you must prove that the party was aware of the danger, but never made an effort to fix it, the sidewalk was the direct cause of your injury, and proof that you suffered real and verifiable injuries.

If you have suffered from a personal injury due to a cracked sidewalk, call the team at Edelstein Law. They specialize in all types of personal injury cases, including unsafe sidewalks. The team at Simple Guide to Living has experience with Edelstein Law and has nothing but rave reviews.

While you focus on recovering from your injuries, let the attorneys at Edelstein Law take care of the claim and fight on behalf of you for the justice you deserve.