Careful: the sidewalk is slippy! Potholed sidewalks, icy steps outside a city building, uneven pavement in a public park — these are everyday hazards across Pittsburgh and the surrounding municipalities. When they cause a serious fall, many people assume filing a claim against the city or township works just like any other slip and fall case. It doesn't. Claims against government-owned property come with unique legal hurdles that can catch injured Yinzers off guard, and missing them can cost you your entire case.
Municipal property isn't limited to city hall. In and around Pittsburgh, it can include:
A fall at any of these locations may fall under a different legal framework than a fall at a private business or apartment complex.
Pennsylvania's Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act generally shields local governments — cities, boroughs, townships, and school districts — from lawsuits. This is often called "governmental immunity," and it exists to protect public resources from being drained by litigation. However, the law carves out specific exceptions where a municipality can still be held liable, including:
Falling into one of these narrow exceptions is often what determines whether a claim can move forward at all. This is one of the most technical areas of Pennsylvania premises liability law, and it's a major reason why municipal slip and fall cases require an attorney who understands these exceptions well.
Perhaps the biggest trap for injured Pittsburghers is timing. Unlike a typical two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, Pennsylvania law generally requires that written notice of a claim be given to a local government within six months of the injury — far shorter than most people expect. Miss that window, and you may lose your right to compensation entirely, regardless of how strong your case is. Some claims also have separate procedural requirements depending on which agency owns the property, such as a state-owned road versus a city sidewalk.
As with any premises liability case, you'll need to show the government entity knew, or reasonably should have known, about the dangerous condition and failed to fix it within a reasonable time. This might include:
If you've been hurt in a fall on a sidewalk, in a park, or inside a public building anywhere in the Pittsburgh area, time is not on your side. Because of the short notice deadlines and the complexity of governmental immunity exceptions, it's important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after the incident — ideally within days, not months. Document the hazard with photos, get the names of any witnesses, and seek medical attention right away.
Disney Law has experience navigating claims against local municipalities throughout Allegheny County and can help you understand whether your case fits within one of the exceptions to governmental immunity. Reach out today for a confidential consultation to discuss your options.
*This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Governmental immunity law is highly fact-specific, and deadlines vary by case.*
