Going to a Rockets game should be a fun time with friends and family, but an injury can quickly change things. If you were injured at the Toyota Center because of an unreasonable hazard, you may be able to file a claim for compensation to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Identifying the liable party in these cases is key. Since the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority has ownership over the structure, the Toyota Center is technically a government building. Filing a claim against a government agency is a complex process with short deadlines and a complicated notification process. The organization that operates the building, however, is a private company and could also be liable.
At D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, we understand how premises liability laws work in Texas. We can evaluate your case based on the details of your incident, and identify any and all liable parties. We can offer advice and legal support for filing a claim, either against a corporation or a government agency. For free legal assistance with your case, call us at 713-850-8600.
Damages Available After a Toyota Center Injury Accident
If the actions—or inaction—of a Toyota Center designer, owner, operator, or employee caused you to suffer injuries, you may be eligible to file a claim or personal injury lawsuit and collect compensation for your damages.
While the damages you could collect vary based on your specific injuries, they may include:
- Medical costs;
- Ongoing care costs;
- Lost wages;
- Related out-of-pocket expenses; and
- Pain and suffering.
If a government agency is liable for your injuries, however, there may be limits on how much you can collect. Parts of the Texas Tort Claims Act establish maximum payout amounts for municipal and county governments. We can help you understand the limits that apply to your case and the estimated value of your claim.
Time Limits on Personal Injury Claims in Houston
The Texas statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits is two years. This means you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit against the liable person or business.
If the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority is the liable party in your case, however, the deadline is much shorter. When it comes to government agencies, the Texas Tort Claims Act gives you as little as 90 days to serve notice and begin the claims process. While some deadlines are longer, you may have as little as six months to serve notice to a government agency in Texas.
If you miss this deadline, you may not be able to file a claim for compensation at all. For this reason, it is very important that you act quickly to identify who is liable if you suffered injuries at the Toyota Center.
Filing a Claim Against the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority
In the past, it was not possible to file a claim or a lawsuit and hold a government agency liable for your injuries. This was true even if an employee behaved in an intentional or particularly heinous way.
Today, the Texas Tort Claims Act makes it possible to hold government agencies in the state responsible for a limited number of actions. If you suffered injuries because an employee or the agency acted in a negligent manner, you may be able to hold them liable. However, this law also outlines a number of complex limitations, short deadlines, and complicated notice requirements you must follow when pursuing this type of claim.
Because the process is so complex, many injury victims choose to enlist the help of a knowledgeable lawyer if they need to bring a claim against a government agency. We can address your questions and concerns, explain your legal rights, and handle the claims process for you.
Limits on Compensation From a Government Agency
While the Texas Tort Claims Act allows individuals to file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the government in some cases, state law also limits the payout available. In general:
- The maximum payout from the City of Houstonis $250,000 per person or $500,000 per incident; and
- The maximum payout from Harris Countyis $100,000 per person or $300,000 per incident.
Separate maximums exist for property damages, such as the damage to your vehicle if a Toyota Center employee causes a car accident while on-the-clock.
Understanding the Notice Provisions in the Texas Tort Claims Act
One of the most significant differences in filing a claim based on a private company’s business liability insurance and filing a claim against a government agency is the requirement to give notice in a timely manner.
If we pursue compensation against the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority, we have only a short time to give them notice about your injuries. Before the deadline passes, we must give them detailed, written notice outlining:
- Your injuries and other damages;
- When and where the injury occurred; and
- Exactly how it happened.
If you fail to submit this on time, or do not provide the right information, you may not be able to recover compensation. We can handle this process for you, including all communication with the agency and its legal team. We will even negotiate the settlement or file a lawsuit if necessary.
Getting Free Legal Assistance From D. Miller & Associates, PLLC
At D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, we can help you understand your rights after an injury at the Toyota Center or another sports or entertainment venue in Houston. We offer free case reviews and legal assistance and handle all cases on a contingency basis. You pay us nothing unless we collect compensation on your behalf. Call us today at 713-850-8600.
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