U.S. Supreme Court Makes it Easier to Sue the Government for Negligence
A recent Supreme Court decision could have implications for individuals who wish to sue the federal government for negligence in Meridian and Boise, Idaho.
According to U.S. News and World Report, the U.S Supreme Court issued a ruling stating that the time to file claims against the government could be extended in cases where individuals attempted to comply or didn’t learn key information about filing before the deadline. Statutes of limitations on personal injury lawsuits result in many cases being dismissed every year. Now, with this new ruling, victims may be able to buy themselves more time to gather evidence, deal with complicated paperwork, and file their claims.
The ruling applies to federal law and claims that are made specifically against the government, not to claims made against private individuals. Current statutes of limitation laws still apply to personal injury lawsuits being filed against private citizens in Meridian and Boise, Idaho.
However, when it comes to claims against the government, the process of suing for negligence can quickly become complex. Claims against the government can become rather involved because very specific procedures must be followed. The government is often protected from being sued and, in order to override some of these protections, individuals often are required to undergo a very rigorous filing process.
For instance, in one case, reported by the Idaho Statesman, one women found herself mired in bureaucracy that caused the statute of limitations to run out for her claim. A woman representing a child killed in an accident when a car passed through a faulty safety barrier was unable to depose government officials in order to acquire sufficient evidence to take her case to court. She alleged that the barrier was not able to sustain the forces of a crash. Yet, because of her inability to gather evidence due to bureaucratic hurdles, her case was dismissed; the statute of limitations ran out. The woman claims that poor instructions from the court delayed her ability to file on time.
The new Supreme Court ruling would allow individuals to proceed with their cases in instances where bureaucratic processes make it difficult for the average person to proceed with a lawsuit against the federal government. Government officials are often protected from suit, and to bypass these protections, complex procedures must often be followed. Even with the help of a skilled personal injury lawyer, it can be difficult to take the government to court for negligence.
Yet, when it comes to local cases, individuals should remember that the law may afford them only a limited time to seek damages and compensation for injuries. The Law Office of Johnson & Lundgreen is a firm in Meridian and Boise, Idaho committed to helping car accident victims receive the best outcome for their cases. The firm understands that the time following a car accident can be incredibly stressful and the lawyers work diligently to ensure that all evidence is gathered, witnesses are interviewed, and all paperwork is filed in a timely manner.
