In personal injury cases, municipalities often appear as defendants. Municipalities interact with so many people in so many areas of activity that it is inevitable that accidents and injuries will occur. In cases involving more serious injuries, municipalities are often included due to the operation of the principle of joint and several liability. Municipalities usually have liability insurance limits that are higher than those of most private citizens.
It is therefore imperative for lawyers practicing in the field to understand the principle areas of potential municipal liability and to understand both the limits of municipalities' liability and the specialized statutory defences available to municipalities.
Prepared for The Advocates' Society Tricks of the Trade 2016 Program
Available document:
Lerners Insurance Defence Reference Library
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.