Livermore is the most populous city in California’s Tri-Valley region, with a current population of 87,955. The city was founded in 1869 as a railroad town by William Mendenhall, who named it after his friend, Robert Livermore. Located in Alameda County, the city is California’s oldest wine region and is still known throughout the world for its award-winning wineries. While Livermore is considered a charming and picturesque community, there are many accidents throughout the city that result in serious injuries for residents and visitors.
Many people are unprepared for an accident that was caused by a city office or one of their employees / independent contractors. If you are one of these individuals, you may be wondering about the process to sue the city of Livermore and obtain the payment you deserve under California law. In this article, we will talk about the steps you will need to take if you’ve suffered bodily harm and/or property damage due to the city’s negligence. However, we can only offer general information, which will not answer specific questions you have about your own accident. For a thorough discussion of your rights and the legal actions you can take, contact the attorneys of Normandie Law Firm.
Your Right to Compensation under the CTCA
The CTCA, or the California Tort Claims Act, is a law that allows you to seek monetary compensation if you’ve been harmed by a government agency or one of their employees. This includes workers, offices, and properties that are owned and operated by the city of Livermore.
Lawsuits against city, county, and state agencies must be initiated through an accident claim, which you will need to file within 6 months of the incident date. This is a legally enforced deadline, so please make sure to submit your claim as soon as possible. If you exceed the statute of limitations set forth by the CTCA, you will be permanently barred from suing the city.
In the next section, we will go into further detail about the claims process, including what to do if your claim for damages is rejected by the city of Livermore.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
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How to File an Accident Case against the City of Livermore
To obtain a claim form, navigate to the city’s website at https://www.livermoreca.gov/, where you can download the “City of Livermore Claim” application and instructions booklet. The other option is to pick up the forms in person from the City Clerk’s Office at 1052 South Livermore Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550.
Make sure to read through all the instructions and provide as much information as possible for every question, since claims are often rejected due to unclear or insufficient information. Once you are finished, you can drop the forms off in person or mail them to the City Clerk’s Office. If you can, please use certified or priority mailing so that you can confirm delivery of the documents. You can also contact the office at (925) 960-4150 if you have any questions or concerns.
So, what happens once your claim is received by the applicable agency? The City Clerk has 45 days to respond, which can happen in the form of an acceptance letter or denial notice. If your claim is rejected, you must act quickly to initiate a lawsuit against the city within 6 months of the rejection date. The other possibility is that 45 days will go by with no response from the agency. If that happens, you have two years from the date of your accident to sue the city of Livermore.
Do I Need an Attorney to Sue the City of Livermore, CA?
Technically, a lawyer is not required if you plan on suing for an accident that was caused by the city of Livermore. But legal representation is highly recommended to ensure that you have a clear and strong argument to support your right to compensation. An attorney can also help you determine how much to ask for, since there are various damages you may be entitled to, including current and future medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
For a free case review with one of our attorneys, please contact us at your earliest convenience.
Common Accidents Caused by City Agencies and Employees
In order to sue another party for monetary damages, you must prove that they are responsible for your accident through an act of negligence or misconduct. In general, this can mean one of two things: 1) the city or one of their employees engaged in conduct that caused you to suffer one or more injuries; 2) the city failed to resolve a condition that had the potential to cause an accident. Either of these situations can lead to an accident, such as:
- Slip and fall
- Trip and fall
- Car / pedestrian accident with city vehicles
- Accidents at public schools
- Injuries from damaged sidewalks
- Falling object accidents
- Assault and battery
- Sexual assault
Settlement Value of an Injury Claim against the Government
Right now, you probably have many questions that you need answer to, including “How much can I receive from a lawsuit against the city of Livermore?” That will depend on a variety of circumstances that are unique to your accident and the injuries you’ve sustained. While many people contact us to ask about the average case value for these lawsuits, the best we can say is that most claims are worth around $15,000 to over one million dollars based on the victim’s financial and emotional losses. If you’re interested in learning how much your own lawsuit is worth, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
How Long will it Take to Settle my Claim?
Here at Normandie, our goal is to bring you closure and help you move forward from your accident as soon as possible. We will work tirelessly to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf, but how long that process will take can vary from a few months to one or more years. In particular, the legal actions that are required (if we need to file a lawsuit, for example), will impact the amount of time it will take to settle your case. However, there are many other issues that can affect the settlement process, which you can learn about from one of our attorneys during a free case evaluation.
Take Advantage of a Free Second Opinion
A free second opinion consultation may be just what you need if you have a pending accident claim against the city of Livermore. This is a free service at our law firm, where you can have your case reviewed by an experienced attorney. We will let you know if your claim is on the right track, or if there are red flags that need immediate attention. Then, we will make recommendations on the steps you can take, but ultimately, any decision regarding your case is up to you. As you have nothing to lose by learning about your rights and legal options, please give us a call to schedule a free second opinion.
Free Legal Services Under the Zero Fee Guarantee
Most accident victims are aware of the need for strong, effective legal representation when they have been injured by someone else. But accidents can cause all sorts of difficulties in your life, including financial hardship. As a result, many people are under the assumption that they can’t afford an attorney.
We hope to take that worry off your mind with the Zero Fee Guarantee, which is our way of protecting your finances throughout the entire duration of your case. You won’t be charged for any of our expenses, as we get paid by the city of Livermore once we secure your settlement award. That’s the only way we get paid, meaning if we lose your case, you won’t be responsible for any legal fees.
If you’d like to explore your legal options with an accident injury lawyer, contact us right away to schedule a free consultation.
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