GOVERNMENTAL LIABILITY

When injury and damage is caused by the intentional or negligent conduct of a governmental entity, the law sets forth specialized procedures, rules, and remedies that are often quite different than the law which would apply to private parties.  Our law firm has handled many cases involving the liability of federal, state, and municipal governments for injuries and damages caused by a governmental entity’s policies, practices, and procedures, or the misconduct of its authorized agents. 

These cases include the following:

Dangerous conditions of public property:  There are many injuries caused by the failure of a governmental entity to adequately design, operate, or maintain its own property.  These situations can range from public highways and streets, to public parks, to public buildings.  Just like any other property owner, the government, whether city, county, state or federal, has a duty to remedy dangerous conditions that may subject members of the public to the risk of injury.

Civil rights violations: The United States Constitution, as well as the Constitution for the State of California, and separate law dealing with non-discrimination, privacy, and similar fundamental human rights collectively set forth the foundational rights of individuals to be free from certain forms of governmental coercion.  Our firm has handled numerous cases involving claims of governmentally created or sanctioned civil rights violations in such areas as police misconduct, denial of disability and employment benefits, and discrimination.

Negligence of governmental employees or agents: Where an agent or employee of a governmental entity causes injury or harm by virtue of a failure to act in a responsible and reasonable manner this may give rise to a claim against the governmental entity itself.  Our firm has handled multiple cases involving the negligence of government employees or agents in such areas as operation of government controlled vehicles, public works projects involving negligent construction operations, and medical negligence on the part of governmental medical care providers.

The area of governmental liability is very specialized.  For example, detailed and unique rules apply to suing the federal, state, or local government.  Unlike ordinary citizens, the government enjoys multiple “immunities” from liability - some of which can be overcome with knowledgeable application of the law by experienced litigation counsel, and some of which cannot.  It is extremely vital that a lawyer experienced in handling governmental liability claims is retained to represent the injured party.  You can be assured that the governmental entity will have on its’ side a lawyer with vast experience in defending such claims who will also enjoy the massive resources that a government entity can bring to bear in fighting cases brought against it.  As a matter of fact, many claims that on the surface appear not to involve government liability can ultimately turn out to focus on the role of one or more governmental entities.  For example, an automobile accident may initially be thought of as involving only the conduct of the tow driver, but later investigation may show that the accident was caused or contributed to by faulty design of the roadway, signage, or traffic control devices.