Sandwiched between Compton and Long Beach, the city of Paramount is part of the Greater Los Angeles Area. The city was originally known for their hay and dairy farms, but the rising cost of land caused many farms to close down. Currently, Paramount has a population of approximately 54,000 people, mostly of Mexican descent, particularly from the state of Sinaloa. Along with a proliferation of Mexican restaurants, Paramount is home to the Hay Tree, a camphor tree that played a critical role in the haymaking industry that the city was known for.
Whether you live in Paramount or you are a visitor to the city, you expect that certain measures are taken by the city government to ensure your safety. In reality, there are many lapses in the way these agencies do their job, and that’s why the following accidents can happen within the borders of Paramount:
- City sidewalk accidents – trip and falls / slip and falls
- Injured due to hazard in city buildings (slippery floors, ceiling collapse, malfunctioning elevator, etc.)
- Accidents due to reckless driving by city employee
- Assault and battery or sexual assault
- Hurt by falling objects due to lack of maintenance
- Accidents on buses (claims against the MTA and Long Beach Transit)
Normandie Law Firm has been fighting for the rights of accident victims for several decades. We know how devastating it can be to end up with injuries through no fault of your own, and how difficult it is to navigate the legal process. We can help you explore the available legal options and ensure that justice is served if the City of Paramount breached their duty of care to you. Contact our office and schedule a free consultation with a government claims lawsuit attorney.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$2.5 Million
$1.1 Million
$1.5 Million
$600,000
$525,000
$734,851
How to Sue the City of Paramount for an Accident
Before you can file a lawsuit for damages against Paramount, CA, you must file a claim with the city government. Information on how to file a claim, including a link to the claim forms can be found here. You can either return the forms in person to the City Clerk’s Office or scan and email them to riskmanagement@paramountcity.com.
Please be aware that the claim forms have very little space to answer questions that require detailed information, which is why it’s expected that you will attach additional pages to the original document. The city also expects to see evidence of why they are liable for the incident and how you calculated the damages you are asking for.
You should receive confirmation of when your claim is filed, which is important to note, as the city has 45 days from this point to decide whether your claim is approved or denied. According to the city’s website, the firm handling your claim may contact you throughout the process to ask questions or provide an update on your case. Even if they don’t, they still have a legal duty to send you written notice of their decision.
If you receive a statement saying that your claim is accepted, there is no need to file a lawsuit, since you will be paid for your monetary losses. However, if the city of Paramount denies your right to payment, you have 6 months to file a lawsuit and continue to fight for the compensation you deserve.
At this point, you are likely to have questions and concerns that should be discussed with an accident injury attorney. Our legal team is here 24/7, so don’t hesitate to contact our law firm.
What to Do if the City Does Not Send a Written Response
While the need to respond in writing is a legal requirement, it’s possible that the city of Paramount will fail to provide you with a notice of acceptance or denial. Many victims have no idea what to do in these situations, but we want to assure you that your right to compensation is still valid. In some cases, you may need to account for the amount of time it takes for the City’s claims management firm to mail you the response, which can take up to a week after the deadline of 45 days. If you are certain that enough time has passed, you can move ahead with a lawsuit through the county superior court. As you were not given official notice in writing, you are allowed 2 years from whenever the accident occurred to file a lawsuit against the city.
Government Claims have a Deadline of 6 Months
It’s critical that you take immediate action to file a claim with the appropriate office if you were harmed by the city’s negligence. While personal injury lawsuits against private entities have a 2-year statute of limitations, you only have 6 months to submit a compensation claim against a city, county, or state government. Failure to meet this deadline means the city is no longer responsible for what happened to you, at least in a legal sense. This is why we encourage you to contact us immediately and speak to a lawyer who can sue the city of Paramount, California.
City of Paramount Accident Claim Settlement Values
Compensation from a lawsuit against the city of Paramount may be anywhere between $5,000 and $2,500,000, and even higher for accidents that result in disability and extensive property damage. We would say that the majority of claims we settle on behalf of accident victims start at around $75,000, but that’s not to say that payments under $50,000 are inadequate based on the circumstances. At the end of the day, case values are unique to each and every claimant, which is why you should never assume the amount that you are due if the city of Paramount violated their duty of care to you. For an accurate assessment of how much you can seek in a claim for damages against the city of Paramount, contact us as soon as possible.
How Long Do City of Paramount Injury Claims Take to Settle?
Government claims for relatively mild injuries may be settled in a few months, but those with serious injuries will probably take 1 to 2 years. The amount of time to settle a case is based on the fact that many of these claims progress to a lawsuit, as city governments will fight to deny liability for any type of accident. At this point, you have already spent 6 or more months preparing your claim, filing it with the city, and waiting for their answer. How long it will take to prepare and settle your lawsuit can vary from 6 months to 2 or more years, based on the city’s willingness to work toward a fair payment amount. In rare instances, a city government claim may be tried in court, but it’s important to note that less than 5% of personal injury lawsuits go before a judge and jury.
Contact Normandie Law Firm
Accident victims need reliable advice from a seasoned personal injury attorney, but they are often conflicted about the costs that are involved, particularly when they are faced with mounting medical bills and other expenses. Our law firm will never charge upfront for legal fees, since we ask for payment from the party that has injured you. Under the Zero Fee Guarantee, the only way we get paid is by winning your case and obtaining our expenses directly from the city of Paramount. This is our way of providing the reassurance you need to contact us and learn about the process of suing a city government.
Our attorneys look forward to speaking with you and being a part of your journey to recovery. Call us today and schedule a free case evaluation.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
How to Flie an Accident Injury Claim with the City of Bellflower, CA
How to File a Claim against the City of Hesperia, CA
How to File an Accident Claim against Porterville, CA
