Vermont Laws and Statutory Rules on Personal Injury Lawsuits

Juliet D'cruz

Updated on:

Every state has its time limits to file a lawsuit after you suffer from some type of wrongdoing. The deadline will vary depending on the case type you file. In general, state laws are popular as statutes of limitations. If you suffered grave injuries then take help from Vermont personal injury lawyer from Sabbeth Law firm. They are experts and ensure that you achieve a fair settlement. Besides, the defendant and insurer take your claim negotiation more seriously, if you have a reliable attorney acting as your representative. 

Time limitations

According to Vermont laws, the statute of limitations associated with personal injury offers the injured person a time of 3 years from injury/accident date to file litigation in civil court. If you file it after this statute of limitation then the Vermont court will refuse the hearing altogether. 

Shared fault

If you share some fault in the underlying accident, where you got injured then there is a comparative fault rule in Vermont that can eliminate or lessen the damage amount you can collect from the at-fault person. According to the comparative fault rule, if your share is less than 50% then your amount is reduced and if it is over 50% then you cannot claim from the at-fault party.

For example, you were hit by a car traveling at high speed as you were crossing the street. You were injured and filed a lawsuit. During the trial, the jury gives their verdict that your fault was 25% and the driver’s fault was 75%. The jury even adds your lost wages, medical bills, etc. The total adds up to $11,000. 

Under Vermont’s comparative fault rule, the total of $11,000 is reduced by $2,750 or 25%. It matches the fault share you were assigned to by the trial jury. Thus, you will collect $8,250 from the at-fault party. 

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Pet owner’s liability for personal injury

For dog bites, the owners are held responsible for the injuries. According to the one-bite rule, the injured person has to prove that the owner is aware that his animal is dangerous.

Injury claims against the government

If the injury is due to negligence of a Vermont government employee or agency then there are different rules to achieve compensation against injuries. If the injury involves a state-level government employee or agency then you get 3 years to file a lawsuit. You will need to fill a claim form – Vermont General Liability Report of Accident and submit it to the state’s ‘Office of Risk Management’.

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