A report from the Associated Press, which reviewed the National Bridge Inventory, found that of the 607,380 bridges in the inventory, 65,605 are structurally deficient. And 20,808 bridges may pose a risk of collapse.
In the state of New York, more than 2,000 bridges have been deemed structurally deficient by the government. One of the most dangerous stretches of road and bridge is between Brooklyn and Queens: the Kosciuszko Bridge. Another bridge deemed structurally deficient is the Brooklyn Bridge which is currently undergoing reconstruction.
Some of the bridges in the state aren’t designed for the heavy traffic that goes over them. Many are awaiting repairs.
Filing a Claim When Injured on Government Property
The good news is that most of the bridges in New York are safe. However, the National Bridge Inventory does raise some concerns about the potential for collapse.
Dangerous conditions exist in a variety of settings. Poor upkeep, lack of maintenance and inadequate inspections are just some of the issues that can lead to injury, or even death, on someone’s property. As a result, the injured party could file a premises liability claim.
However, when someone sustains injuries on government property the process for seeking compensation is different. Depending on who has jurisdiction, the injured party needs to file a claim with a particular agency or with the Court of Claims.
Regardless of who the lawsuit is filed against, there is one common issue that can arise with a claim against the government: the time factor. Claimants generally have just 90 days to file a tort claim. Therefore, parties seeking legal advice regarding compensation should do so quickly. Call Gacovino, Lake & Associates to set up a consultation: 800-246-4878.
