{"id":352961,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:31","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/accident-injury-law\/premises-liability-claims-against-the-government.html"},"modified":"2025-10-20T14:43:43","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T19:43:43","slug":"premises-liability-claims-against-the-government","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/accident-injury-law\/premises-liability-claims-against-the-government.html","title":{"rendered":"Premises Liability Claims Against the Government"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Premises Liability Claims Against the Government<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Ty McDuffey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

When you’re hurt on someone else’s property, premises liability laws might mean the property owner would be responsible for your damages. But injuries on government property pose unique legal issues.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

You may sue the government if its actions or negligence ultimately injured you. A premises liability claim can allow you to hold a local, state, or federal government accountable for its dangerous property.<\/p>\n

Any case against a government entity will be complex. If you win a lawsuit, the government would pay you the award using a fund of public money. Government agencies have a duty to challenge claims to preserve this funding. Yet, if you have a valid claim, you may be legally entitled to money that can help your recovery.<\/p>\n

You’ll need strong legal advocacy to show why the government should compensate you for the injury. Find a personal injury lawyer<\/a> near you who can help you understand the process and start your claim.<\/p>\n

Examples of Premises Liability Injuries on Government Property<\/h2>\n

One of the most common premises liability situations happens when a defect on a public sidewalk or roadway injures a member of the public. For example, many accidents happen when traffic lights or signs don’t function properly, are hidden, or are not there.<\/p>\n

Another example of\u00a0premises liability<\/a>\u00a0is when a local government entity performs roadwork involving excavation or obstruction of the roadway, and someone gets injured due to the change in the road’s surface or traffic flow.<\/p>\n

Another common situation is where someone gets injured when they trip and fall due to a defect in a public sidewalk<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In these cases, it would seem clear that the government responsible for maintaining the road or walkways is legally liable to the injured party. Sometimes, it may be unclear whether the city government<\/a> or the state government is liable for these problems.<\/p>\n

Is the Government Immune from Injury Lawsuits?<\/h2>\n

Not always. An injured person can sue the government<\/a> for fair compensation in many circumstances.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Traditionally, government bodies have “sovereign immunity<\/a>.” Under this immunity, government bodies can’t be sued or held liable in lawsuits.<\/p>\n

Congress enacted the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) in 1946. Before that time, the federal government could not be sued for:<\/p>\n