San Antonio has some incredible historical neighborhoods. Beacon Hill, Dignowari and King William are all parts of town that have a rich history. They also have aging infrastructure. In addition to roads designed for smaller vehicles decades ago, these older neighborhoods may also feature older, damaged sidewalks.
People jogging in unfamiliar areas could trip over uneven sections of sidewalk. Individuals who rely on crutches, canes, walkers or wheelchairs are also at risk of sustaining serious injuries due to damaged, older sections of sidewalk. In some cases, municipal authorities in San Antonio may actually be liable for injury-related expenses and other losses caused by damaged infrastructure.
When are local authorities liable?
There are two primary requirements for claims against San Antonio municipal authorities for sidewalk-related injuries. As a general rule, individual property owners are responsible for maintaining the sections of sidewalk that flank their properties.
The City of San Antonio may only be liable for sidewalk-related injuries that occur on public property. Sidewalks near municipal buildings or surrounding parks in older areas are technically the responsibility of municipal authorities.
In addition to establishing municipal ownership of the adjacent property, those hoping to pursue compensation for sidewalk injuries from San Antonio must also show that the city was aware of the issue with the sidewalk and had not taken appropriate steps to correct it. A superintendent, the city manager or the city council must have had actual knowledge of the sidewalk issues that caused the injury. In those cases, injured parties may be able to file a claim for sidewalk injury expenses.
However, they generally only have 90 days, at most, to submit a formal written notice of claim to municipal authorities. That claim must include exact details of what happened, where and when, as well as the total damages sustained.
Claims against municipal authorities are far more complex than injury claims brought against individual property owners or local businesses. People often need legal representation to understand the requirements imposed on them, gather sufficient evidence and pursue the compensation they deserve.
Reviewing a local incident caused by aging sidewalks in Beacon Hill, Dignowari or King William with a skilled legal team can help people evaluate their options before they lose their opportunity to file a claim. A successful sidewalk injury claim can cover property damage losses, medical expenses and even lost wages.