How to File an Accident Injury Claim against the City of Ojai

Located east of Santa Barbara and northwest of Los Angeles, Oaji is a city in Ventura County with a population of only 7,637 as of the 2020 U.S. Census. The city attracts visitors with its famer’s markets, hiking trails, and boutique hotels. In addition, Ojai has a cozy, small town vibe due to the fact that chain stores are prohibited. Thus, you come across privately owned businesses and mom-and-pop shops for everything from gourmet food to home décor.

Considering how peaceful it is in the city of Ojai, most people never dream that they would be injured in a traumatic accident. But these events happen in any city, and many of these incidents are traced to negligence by a city of Ojai department or employee. When someone in the city government fails in their duty of care to residents and visitors, a lawsuit can help victims receive compensation like pain and suffering, medical expenses, and property damage.

The city of Ojai accident claim lawyers of Normandie are ready to fight for you and the payment you deserve by law. For a free consultation to discuss your case and the available legal options, contact our law firm.

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How to File an Incident Claim with the City of Ojai

Whether you got hurt in an accident or an assault and battery incident, there is a protocol for seeking compensation if the city of Ojai is responsible for what happened to you. The process begins with a Claim for Damages with the City of Ojai, which you can download here. There are important instructions on the first page that you should read before attempting to fill out the application.

Keep in mind, however, that the city cannot provide you with legal advice, so they will not be of any help if you don’t understand how you should answer a question. This is why many people get overwhelmed and put down whatever seems like a reasonable response. But a lot of these questions require you to submit proof to back up your answers, and this is where many claimants run into a problem.

This is why it’s so important to have your accident investigated by a personal injury attorney. Your lawyer can also complete the paperwork on your behalf and make a solid legal argument for why the city is at fault for your accident.

You Must File a City of Ojai Compensation Claim in 6 Months!

As you can see, the deadline is very tight if you are seeking compensation for negligence by the City of Ojai. Unfortunately, this is the statute of limitations for any claim against the government in California, including agencies or employees at the city level. If you fail to file a claim within 6 months of the incident date, your right to sue will be invalidated under the terms of the California Tort Claims Act. To ensure that you meet the legally required deadline while having a strong and solid case, contact our office and talk to a California government claims injury lawyer.

How Do I Know if My Claim is Approved or Not?

Whether your claim is approved or denied, the city has a legal obligation to provide you with a written response no later than 45 days from whenever they received your claim. This is why we urge you to use a certified or priority service if you plan on mailing the paperwork. That way, you know exactly when your claim was received and when the 45 day waiting period begins.

If the city denies your claim, please know that is a common reaction. The good news is that you can still proceed with a lawsuit through the county court system. In the event the city fails to provide any kind of response to your claim within 45 days, you also have the right to file a lawsuit. Either way, you should always obtain counsel from an experienced attorney if you would like to sue the city of Ojai. Our lawyers are ready to educate you on your legal rights, so call us today and schedule a free consultation.

How Much can I Receive in Compensation from the City of Ojai?

Settlement amounts from a negligence claim against the city of Ojai may be just a few thousand dollars to over $3,000,000. The majority of cases we handle are resolved for anywhere from $125,000 to $2,000,000 based on the degree of harm, the victim’s current and future monetary losses, and the act of careless / reckless conduct by the city. Ultimately, these and other details will differ from one case to another, and that’s why we must speak with you in person to decide the amount that can be recovered from a City of Ojai injury claim. If you would like to schedule a free case review with a city government compensation claims attorney, contact us today.

How Long Do these Cases Take to Settle?

Based on the cases we have successfully resolved over the years, we would say the average amount of time to settle a city of Ojai accident case is around 1 to 2 years. That may seem like a long time, but lawsuits against the government are notoriously difficult, and negotiating a settlement that’s in your favor can take many months. There are times when we can reach an agreement with the city by the 6-month mark, but overall, most of these cases take 12 to 24 months, and even longer if going to trial is the only option.

Free Legal Services

Most people who are involved in an accident understand the value of having a skilled personal injury lawyer on their side. The problem is, many victims are already struggling to pay for medical expenses and other financial burdens due to another party’s negligence.

Here at Normandie Law Firm, accident victims receive free legal services under a policy known as the Zero Fee Guarantee. We ask the city of Ojai to pay our bills if we succeed in recovering your settlement award. If not, we eat the costs and charge you $0 in legal fees, so you will never pay out of pocket to hire a lawyer that can help you sue for injuries caused by a city agency or government employee.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us and schedule a free, private consultation on your rights and legal options.

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