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

Norwalk is a city located in Los Angeles County, California, just 17 miles southeast of Downtown Los Angeles. It is one of the state’s most densely populated cities, with a population of 105,549 as of the 2010 U.S. Census. The community was originally known as an agricultural center, famous for their sugar beets and dairy farms. Nowadays, Norwalk is a semi-urban community with plenty of coffee shops and city parks, which makes it an ideal place to live for families and hipsters alike. Nevertheless, Norwalk has its share of serious accidents that are caused by the city government.

In this article, we will go over the process of how to file an accident injury claim against the city of Norwalk. These steps are applicable to any type of accident, including:

• Slip and fall
• Trip and fall
• Auto accidents with Norwalk city vehicles
• Accidents at schools run by the city of Norwalk
• Broken sidewalk injuries
• Assault cases – sexual assault, assault and battery
• Falling object accidents

Were you injured in Norwalk, California due to a condition that the city caused or failed to take care of? If the answer is yes, contact us right away to speak with a personal injury lawyer that’s experienced in claims against government agencies. Whether you need help with a city vehicle accident case or a slip and fall claim against the city of Norwalk, our lawyers are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to guide you through the legal process. We look forward to advising you and fighting for the compensation you deserve.

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Your Right to Sue the City of Norwalk

Suing a government entity, like the city of Norwalk, is quite different than filing a lawsuit against a private citizen or business. If your accident can be blamed on a city agency or employee, your right to sue is defined by the CTCA, or the California Tort Claims Act. This law protects the government from liability in certain cases of personal injury. However, it also covers various situations in which these entities can be sued.

One of the most important things to note is the deadline to file an injury claim, which is normally two years in the state of California. But if the at fault party is a public entity (government building, public school, city-owned emergency vehicle), you must file a compensation claim within 6 months of the incident date. This is a strict deadline that’s set by the CTCA, so no exception will be made to anyone if they exceed the 6-month time period to demand compensation.

In the next section, we will go over the steps to obtain and complete the forms, along with what you can do if your claim is rejected by the city of Norwalk.

How to File an Injury Claim against the City of Norwalk

To begin the claims process, you will need to contact the City Clerk’s office at (562) 929-5720 or

. They will advise you on the forms you will need to fill out and any special instructions that must be followed. You can also stop by the office at 12700 Norwalk Boulevard, Room 10, Norwalk, CA 90650, though you should call ahead of time to ensure that the City Clerk is available to speak with you.

You can drop off the completed forms in person or send them by mail (the address should be listed on the forms). It’s a good idea to use certified or priority mail, so that you can track the package and ensure that it’s arrived at the correct destination. While you can fill out the claim forms on your own, it’s best to get help from a lawyer that’s experienced in city claims for accidents and property damage. Some of the questions require detailed answers and evidence, which will be hard to obtain on your own. Our law firm can help you build a strong case and ensure that all your paperwork is filed within the 6-month deadline.

Once the City Clerk’s Office receives your claim, they have 45 days to approve your demands or send you a denial notice. In some cases, they will not respond at all within 45 days, which means your claim is rejected by default. If you receive a denial notice, you have 6 months to bring a lawsuit against the city of Norwalk. If you don’t hear back from the City Clerk at all, your deadline to file a lawsuit is two years from the date of your accident.

Should I get an Attorney to Represent Me?

The CTCA does not require you to hire a lawyer, so you can choose to handle the claims process on your own. But succeeding in an accident claim against the government is incredibly challenging, especially if filing a lawsuit is your only option. Most claimants find that it’s in their best to retain legal representation right from the start. Keep in mind that the city will do you no favors when it comes to the compensation you are owed by law.

These agencies are very good at finding reasons to reject your claim or trick you into accepting a settlement that’s entirely too low.

With Normandie Law Firm by your side, you can fight for every penny you deserve from an accident that was caused by the city’s negligence. Contact us today for a free consultation on your rights and legal options.

Average Value of a Lawsuit against the City of Norwalk

As no two accidents are alike, it’s impossible to say what the average claim against the city of Norwalk is worth. Your injuries and what they take away from your life (lost income, current and future medical bills, for example) will factor heavily into your case value. If you have serious injuries, you may also be entitled to pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other trauma-based damages. For some claimants, $10,000 to $35,000 may be the right amount, while others are entitled to $100,000 or more. Claims involving lifelong injuries may exceed $1 million, especially if they take away the victim’s ability to perform basic tasks or go back to work.

How Long Does it Take to Settle One of These Cases?

Achieving a settlement as fast as possible is our number one goal when we take on a case at our office. At the same time, we never want to sacrifice the value of your settlement, which must be reasonable based on your level of harm and suffering. Recovering a settlement can take 30 days to a few months for some claimants, while others will need to wait one or more years for their compensation award. If you’d like to learn about the factors that can affect how long it will take to settle your claim, contact us to schedule a free case review.

Call us for a Free Second Opinion

Second opinions can be immensely helpful to those with pending injury claims. For example, you may be close to a settlement, but want to verify with another lawyer that doing so is the right choice for you and your loved ones. Alternatively, you may be frustrated by the lack of progress with your case and want to know if switching lawyers would help you receive payment any faster. Normandie Law Firm is here for you with a free second opinion on your accident claim against the city of Norwalk. Just give us a call to meet with one of our attorneys and learn about your available legal options.

Contact Normandie Law Firm

Going up against a city government can be overwhelming when you don’t have experience with the laws or the legal system. Legal representation is highly recommended to protect your interests and ensure that you receive justice from the entity that has harmed you. The lawyers of Normandie have decades of experience recovering settlement awards on behalf of injury victims. We know the government claims process inside and out, so you can depend on us to bring you the results you are looking for.

At a time like this, paying for a lawyer is the last thig you should be burdened with. Our Zero Fee Guarantee protects you from any responsibility for legal fees, which we bill to the city of Norwalk. We only receive payment by wining your case, as we don’t believe in getting paid without securing your settlement award.

If you are interested in learning more about the ways we can assist you, please take a moment to contact us for a free case evaluation.

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