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

Industry is a city located in East Los Angeles County in the San Gabriel Valley. As its name implies, the city is an industrial hub with over 3,000 businesses and 67,000 employees. Actual residents only number around 264 as of the 2020 census. While Industry is the third least-populated city in California, there’s no denying its importance as the economic hub of the San Gabriel Valley.

With so many different companies operating out of this tiny city, accidents are bound to happen in one form or another. But what if that accident is caused by the city of Industry? The city government owns many properties and vehicles, which are managed by various agencies, employees, and independent contractors. Any one of these entities can be negligent in their duty of care to the public, which can lead to injuries for you and your loved ones. Below are some of the most common accidents that can occur within the city limits of Industry, California:

• Trip and fall – slip and fall claim against the city of Industry
• Auto accidents with city of Industry vehicles (fire trucks, police cars, etc.)
• Injuries from broken sidewalks and potholes
• Assault and battery / sexual assault by city workers
• Injuries at public schools
• Accidents caused by falling objects

Did you sustain injuries on a property that’s owned by the city of Industry, like a city park or public sidewalk? Were you hit by a city-owned vehicle due to an act of carelessness, like speeding or texting on the phone? You may be entitled to monetary damages for the harm you’ve suffered, but it’s essential to take action right away, as there is a limited amount of time to sue the government for an accident case. The accident injury lawyers of Normandie are ready to advise you of your rights and legal options, so call us today for a free consultation.

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Am I Eligible for a Lawsuit against the City?

Government entities, like city parks, schools, and employees, have what is referred to as “sovereign immunity,” which means they are protected from certain legal actions. This doesn’t mean you can’t file a lawsuit against the city of Industry. However, the cause of your injuries must be based on one of the provisions stated in the California Tort Claims Act (CTCA). For example, your claim may be based on premises liability, meaning that the government had notice of or should have been aware of a hazard on one of their properties. In addition, you must begin the legal process by filing an accident claim with the city of Industry.

Please keep reading if you have questions about the claims process, including:

• How do I obtain a city of Industry claim form?
• How long will it take to hear back from the city on my case?
• What are my rights if they refuse to pay for my injuries / property damage?

How to File an Injury Claim against the City of Industry

If you’ve sustained bodily harm and/or property damage that was caused by a city of Industry agency or employee, you can ask to be compensated by filing a City of Industry Claim Reporting Form. Downloading the form is the easiest way to obtain the paperwork, which you can find on the city’s website at https://www.cityofindustry.org/home. Another option is to pick up the form in person from City Hall at 15625 Mayor Dave Way, City of Industry, CA 91744.

The page on which the form is located gives you the deadline to submit your request, which is 6 months starting from the date of the accident. However, there’s virtually no other information that will help you if you have questions or concerns about the claims process. This means you are responsible for doing your own research, and possibly misunderstanding the laws or filling the forms out incorrectly. It’s also worth noting that claims are often rejected due to a lack of evidence or legal basis for how and why the city is liable for your injuries. That’s why guidance from an experienced attorney is in your best interest, which we can provide you with here at Normandie Law Firm.

You can hand-deliver the completed forms, mail them to the City Clerk’s Office, or send the forms by email to jgrobles@cityofindustry.org. From the day that your claim is received by the City Clerk, they have 45 days to approve or deny your payment request in writing. If the city sends you a notice of denial, you have 6 months from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. In the event you get no response of any kind within 45 days, the statute of limitations for a lawsuit is two years, starting from the accident date.

Do I Need to get a Lawyer?

There is nothing to stop you from filing a claim on your own and petitioning the court for a lawsuit if the city agency rejects your demand for compensation. However, it’s proven that injury victims with a lawyer find better success in these cases, especially when you look at the settlement amounts. Those with an attorney typically receive 3 times the amount that’s obtained by claimants that choose to represent themselves. By retaining one of our legal experts, you can ensure that your claim includes all the necessary evidence and documentation. With our many years of experience, you can be confident in our ability to recover the highest possible settlement based on the harm you’ve suffered.

Estimated Settlement Value for a City of Industry Accident Case

Compensation amounts are different for each and every case, considering that each victim has their own set of losses, which typically include medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and property damage. Some of these damages may include future / lifelong payments if the injuries are serious enough to cause permanent health issues. With that in mind, an estimated settlement for a lawsuit against the city of Industry may be worth around $10,000 to $1.5 million and above. We can help you determine the value of your injury claim and take the necessary actions to bring you compensation from the responsible parties.

How Long will it Take before I Receive Payment?

Claimants usually have questions about the timeline to reach a settlement in these cases, and without a doubt, our goal is to achieve an agreement with the other side and obtain the funds you deserve as fast as possible. But how long this process will take can range anywhere from a few months to 1 or more years. Obviously, claims take the longest if they proceed to a lawsuit, especially if taking your case to trial is the best option. Since there are many other factors that will impact the case resolution process, we recommend that you contact us for a free consultation with one of our attorneys.

Second Opinion from an Experienced Accident Injury Lawyer

People often think about getting a second opinion if they’re unsure about a medical diagnosis from their doctor. But the same sort of service is available from our attorneys if you have questions or concerns about a claim that’s being handled by another law firm. This is your chance to have your case reviewed by one of our lawyers, who will alert you to any problems that can harm your case. Even if there are no issues and your lawyer is doing the best that they can, you still have the reassurance of knowing that your case is on the right path. There is no cost to you for a second opinion, so please give us a call if you’d like to take advantage of this opportunity.

Zero Fee Guarantee

The claims process to sue the government is vastly different than going after a private individual or institution. It’s easy to make mistakes or follow the wrong procedures, which will cost you the right to seek monetary damages from the city of Industry. That’s why legal representation is strongly recommended, no matter what type of injuries you are dealing with.

Our law firm understands how tight your finances are right now, and legal fees should never stop you from contacting a lawyer when you’ve been harmed due to someone else’s negligence. When you choose Normandie Law Firm to represent you, there is nothing for you to pay under the Zero Fee Guarantee. Our fees are covered by the defendant, so we get paid at the same time you receive your settlement. If we fail to recover payment on your behalf, you are completely off the hook for any legal fees.

If you’re ready to discuss your case with a personal injury lawyer at our office, contact us for a free case evaluation.