Public Entities Lawyers

When government agencies, municipalities, or other public entities cause harm through negligence or wrongful conduct, victims often face unique legal challenges and strict procedural requirements. Unlike claims against private parties, lawsuits involving public entities require navigating complex immunity laws, notice requirements, and shortened deadlines that can bar your claim if not handled properly.

At Mandelbaum Barrett PC, our personal injury attorneys have decades of experience handling claims against public entities throughout New Jersey and Connecticut. We understand the intricate legal framework governing government liability and have successfully secured compensation for clients injured by municipal negligence, dangerous public property conditions, and governmental misconduct.

Claims Against Public Entities

Claims against public entities often involve injuries that occurred on public property. A public entity is generally responsible for injuries caused by the condition of its property if:

If you have been seriously injured and are considering filing a claim against a public entity, you should know that state law imposes special time limits and procedures for pursuing these types of claims.

First, you must file a formal written notice of your intention to sue. Many jurisdictions require this notice within a short window, often around 90 days, from the date of injury. (Minors are frequently given additional time, measured from their 18th birthday.) Failure to file the notice on time can permanently bar your lawsuit, so contact our office immediately after an injury involving a government entity.

Each individual municipality may have its own notice form, but the required contents are generally similar across jurisdictions. You can contact the relevant municipality directly for their form.

In addition to the formal notice, you must also send notice to any public party that may share in the liability for your injuries. This includes county, municipal, and state agencies, as well as their employees. The notice must generally include all of the following:

Once your lawsuit is settled or a court ruling is reached, you will no longer be able to pursue additional claims against those same entities or employees for the same injury.

• The property was in a dangerous condition at the time of the accident
• Your injury was caused by the dangerous condition
• It was reasonably foreseeable that the dangerous condition might cause your kind of injury
• The entity or employee created the dangerous condition, or at least knew about it (or should have known), and had reasonable time to fix it

• Your name and address
• The date, location, and circumstances of your injury
• A general description of your injuries and/or the losses you have incurred as a result
• Names of the public agencies/employees allegedly at fault for your injuries or damages (if known)
• An estimate of the cost of your injuries and the resulting losses, including estimated future expenses

Types of Public Entity Cases

Public entities can be held liable for injuries caused by their negligent acts or dangerous conditions on public property. These cases are typically governed by specific state tort claims statutes, which provide certain protections to government entities while establishing procedures for filing claims. Our attorneys handle premises liability cases involving government property.

Public entity liability cases can arise from various situations involving government negligence or dangerous conditions:

These incidents often result from budget constraints, inadequate training, or failure to properly maintain public facilities and infrastructure.

• Dangerous conditions on public sidewalks, roads, or parking areas
• Inadequate maintenance of public buildings and facilities
• Police misconduct and excessive force incidents
• Negligent operation of government vehicles
• Unsafe conditions in public parks and recreational facilities
• Inadequate security at public events or facilities
• Defective traffic signals or road design
• Slip and fall accidents on government property

Compensation Available in Public Entity Cases

Victims of public entity negligence may recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, disability and impairment, and loss of enjoyment of life due to permanent injuries suffered from the incident. However, state law often places certain caps on damages that can be recovered against public entities. In cases involving serious injuries, our attorneys work to maximize your recovery within these statutory limits.

Our attorneys work diligently to ensure our clients receive maximum compensation within the statutory limits while exploring all potential sources of recovery. In some cases, individual employees may also be held personally liable, providing additional avenues for full compensation.

We also assist clients in navigating insurance coverage issues and coordinating benefits to ensure medical expenses are covered while pursuing your legal claim.

Hold a Public Entity Responsible With a Mandelbaum Barrett PC Lawyer

Pursuing a claim against a government entity requires immediate action and knowledgeable legal representation. The complex procedural requirements and strict deadlines make it essential to have an attorney who understands the unique challenges of public entity litigation.

With decades of experience handling personal injury claims, our experienced attorneys include Certified Civil Trial Attorney Andrew Bronsnick and Co-Chair Joseph J. Peters. We have successfully represented clients in cases against municipalities, counties, and state agencies. New Jersey clients can contact Mandelbaum Barrett PC at (973) 585-5100, and Connecticut clients can call (203) 661-6000, or through our contact form for your free consultation to discuss your rights and legal options.