What Is the Purpose of a Municipal Hearing?

Claims against municipalities in New York City involve special requirements. Some examples of municipalities and municipal agencies in New York City that require special requirements are the City of New York, New York City Department of Education, New York City Transit Authority & New York City Housing Authority. A municipal hearing is one such special requirement. 

What is the purpose of a municipal hearing?

The purpose of a municipal hearing is not to dispute that an accident happened or how it happened. The purpose of a municipal hearing is for the municipality to learn the basic facts of the accident. 

What types of questions are asked?

The questions are very simple. The following are typical sample questions: name, address; name of children; date of birth and social security number; date and location of accident; describe accident; whether police and ambulance came to scene; name of hospital who treated you; name of private doctor/nurses who treated you; activities you cannot due as result of injury; amount of time you spent in bed and/or home; whether medical bills paid and by whom; amount of money you had to spend because of accident. 

How long does it take?

The whole hearing should take less than one hour. 

Who will be present and where will the municipal hearing be held?

The testimony is given under oath. It usually occurs at the office of one of the attorneys for the municipality. It is very informal. The only people present are the municipal attorney, an attorney from our office, and a stenographer who records every word spoken. If necessary, a professional interpreter can be used. There is no Judge nor jury present. 

If you or a loved one suffered an injury as a result of the negligence of a municipality, the New York City Municipal Liability Attorneys at Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP are here to help. The New York City Municipal Liability Attorneys at Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP are skilled at handling accidents involving municipalities such as the City of New York, New York City Department of Education, New York City Transit Authority & New York City Housing Authority. Our firm’s motto is “Don’t Be A Victim Twice”.  If you are a victim of an accident involving a municipality, call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) to schedule a confidential consultation with the municipal accident attorneys at Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP today. The call is free. The consultation is free. You don’t pay us unless we are successful.  That’s our “Our Fee Guarantee – No Fee Unless Successful