When a government entity causes your injury, normal deadlines do not apply. Under the Utah Governmental Immunity Act (Utah Code § 63G-7-402), you must file a formal notice of claim within one year — far shorter than the standard four-year personal injury window.
Government claims also carry procedural traps that do not exist in ordinary cases, and a single misstep can end an otherwise valid claim.
When the government claim rules apply
- Crashes involving a UTA bus or TRAX train.
- Collisions with city, county, or state vehicles, including snowplows.
- Injuries from poorly maintained public roads, sidewalks, or buildings.
- Incidents involving government employees acting in their jobs.
The one-year notice deadline (one year) is the single most common reason valid government injury claims fail. If a public entity may be involved, talk to a lawyer immediately.
What the notice must contain
The notice must be in writing, directed to the correct government office, and include specific details about the incident and the damages claimed. Sending it to the wrong entity or omitting required information can invalidate it.
Immunity and its limits
Governmental immunity shields public entities from some claims, but the Act waives immunity in many injury situations. Whether immunity applies is a technical question that turns on the type of activity involved — exactly the kind of analysis a lawyer performs.
Injured in Utah? Injury Claim Team connects you with experienced personal injury attorneys across the state. Call 973-566-5599 for a free, confidential case review — available 24/7, no fee unless you win.