All municipalities in Ontario are responsible for
maintaining their public roads, sidewalks, and bridges, crucial for
preventing personal injury. They must ensure that they are in a
safe and usable condition. So, if you trip, slip, or otherwise hurt
yourself on a city road, sidewalk or bridge because it was not
reasonably maintained, you may have a claim against the
municipality where it occurred.
But, suing the city is not as simple as you may think. Here are
five things that you should keep in mind before you decide to sue
the city for your injuries:
YOU HAVE 10 DAYS TO GIVE THE CITY "NOTICE" OF YOUR
CLAIM
Section 44(10) of the Municipal
Act, 2001, says that if you are injured on a public road,
sidewalk or bridge and you plan to sue the city, you must send a
written letter via registered mail, or deliver it in person, to the
municipal clerk within 10 days of the date you were injured.