Connecticut residents may be interested to learn that Congressman Ryan Paul and his chief of staff have been named as defendants in a personal injury case. Initially filed in a trial court in the District of Columbia, the case involves a car accident that occurred in 2004.
According to reports, the crash occurred on Interstate 395. The two plaintiffs claim the chief of staff did not maintain a safe distance behind them and was negligent in his actions. The U.S. Department of Justice stepped in to act on behalf of the defendant and has sought to have to case moved from a federal court.
The court date has been set for April 10. The department has conceded that the chief of staff had been working in an official capacity when the accident occurred but is also claiming that the case should be dropped because the driver and passenger in the other vehicle did not try to seek damages under the Federal Torts Claim Act. In addition, the DOJ claims that the defendant cannot be sued due to the doctrine of sovereign immunity.
When a crash results in serious injury, it may be possible for an injured victim to pursue compensation for monetary losses suffered due to medical bills and time lost from work. However, as in the case above, certain complications may make it difficult to purse an action. Because each case is different, those who are seeking to file a personal injury lawsuit might discuss their potential case with an attorney.
Source: The Huffington Post, “Paul Ryan And Top Aide Sued Over Car Accident,” Sam Levine, March 11, 2015
