Were you injured due to negligence involving a municipal, county, state, or federal agency in San Bernardino, California? Call Kenny Ramirez Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers at (909) 515-0646 for a free consultation with a San Bernardino government entity liability lawyer.
You may be eligible for significant compensation for your medical bills and other damages. However, the laws governing these claims are complex and require the assistance of a seasoned lawyer.
Don’t wait — contact us today to learn how we can fight for you and maximize the value of your claim. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay attorney fees if we win.
Why Choose Kenny Ramirez Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers to Handle Your Case Against the Government?
Not all injury law firms are equipped to take on government agencies. These cases demand extensive knowledge of sovereign immunity laws and procedural requirements.
Here’s why Kenny Ramirez Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers is the right choice for your government negligence case:
- We understand the specialized procedures under the California Government Claims Act and know how to hold public entities accountable.
- We have recovered over $35 million for injured clients.
- We have a well-earned reputation for winning high-value settlements and verdicts in public entity injury cases.
- We have expertise in identifying mandatory duties and exceptions to government immunity.
- We provide fast and reliable claims submission to meet California’s strict six-month deadline.
- We take a client-focused approach dedicated to securing your full recovery.
Let our San Bernardino, CA, team lead the way for you. Call us today to schedule a free case review with a San Bernardino personal injury attorney.
Overview of Government Liability in Personal Injury Cases
Public entities in California are generally protected by sovereign immunity. Under the California Government Claims Act, injured individuals must first file a formal claim before suing, and only certain types of claims are permitted.
Claims must allege that a public entity breached a statutory or constitutional duty, such as failing to repair a dangerous property condition or improper use of force by an employee. Because of these unique rules, government liability cases require vast experience in statutory interpretation, administrative procedure, and civil litigation.
Types of Government Liability Cases We Handle
Our San Bernardino team has successfully handled cases involving:
- Dangerous roadways and sidewalks
- Government vehicle crashes
- Unsafe conditions on government property
- Police misconduct and excessive force
- School district negligence
We recognize that every government liability case is unique, and we tailor our strategies to the facts and legal grounds of each one. Call us today if you believe you suffered harm due to the negligence of a government agency.
We’ll review your case and determine whether you have a personal injury claim.
How Much Is My California Government Entity Liability Case Worth?
The value of a claim against a government agency in California depends on the unique facts of your case. There is no automatic answer.
Several factors influence how much compensation you may be entitled to recover, including:
- The severity of your injuries
- The extent of your medical costs:
- Whether you lost wages and/or suffered a reduced earning ability
- The pain and suffering you experienced
- Whether you share fault for your injuries
- Whether the government has a valid immunity defense
The best way to determine the precise value of your case is to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. An attorney can evaluate your case and give you an estimate of what to expect from any compensation award you may recover.
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Claim Against a Government Agency?
Under California law, you may recover both economic and non-economic damages against a negligent government entity, similar to what you’d claim against a private party.
You may be able to recover money for economic damages, such as:
- Past, present, and future treatment costs
- Wages missed from being unable to work
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage, including vehicle repairs
You may also be entitled to compensation for non-economic damages, like:
- Pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
At Kenny Ramirez Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers, we will track and calculate your losses so we understand the full value of your claim. We can even work with medical and financial experts to ensure no aspect of your injury is overlooked.
What if I’m Partly at Fault for My Accident in San Bernardino?
California follows a pure comparative fault rule. You may still recover compensation as long as your portion of fault doesn’t exceed 100% (under pure comparative fault). If you’re partially to blame, your recovery is reduced proportionally by your degree of fault. For example, if damages total $200,000 and you’re found 20% at fault, you can still recover $160,000.
Not all allegations of comparative fault are accurate. Our San Bernardino lawyers build persuasive cases to minimize the impact of shared fault allegations and get the full compensation you deserve.
What Is the Deadline for Filing Claims Against the Government in California?
When you’re suing a public entity in California, the timelines are far more rigid than in traditional personal injury claims. The California Government Claims Act sets strict deadlines, and missing them can eliminate your right to seek compensation.
Here are the deadlines that typically apply:
- Government claim deadline: You must typically file a formal claim with the relevant government agency within six months of the date of injury. This includes claims against cities, counties, school districts, and state agencies.
- Agency response window: The public entity has 45 days to respond. If they reject your claim (either formally or by failing to respond), you then have a limited time to take further legal action.
- Lawsuit deadline: After claim rejection, you have just six months to file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. If you do not receive a rejection notice, the deadline may be extended up to two years from the date of injury. However, this depends on the specifics of your case.
For clarity about the deadlines in your case, you should speak with a San Bernardino government liability attorney as soon as possible. At Kenny Ramirez Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ll help you fill out the correct forms and comply with all relevant time limits.
Immunity Defenses in Government Negligence Claims
Government agencies often rely on immunity defenses to try to escape liability. While some forms of immunity are valid under the law, many are not.
Some of the most common immunity claims include:
- Discretionary immunity based on claims that the agency had the right to make a judgment call or policy decision, even if it led to harm.
- Design immunity related to dangerous conditions on public property that were part of an approved engineering plan.
- Immunity for police activity stemming from arrests or the use of force.
These defenses aren’t absolute. For example, if a public entity failed to fix a known dangerous condition or acted outside the scope of its duties, immunity may not apply.
Our attorneys will examine your case and identify all statutes that impose liability despite immunity defenses. We will not hesitate to challenge false or overreaching immunity claims.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Government Entity Liability Lawyer in San Bernardino?
Most personal injury attorneys who handle government entity liability cases work on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay any upfront legal fees or hourly rates. Instead, your lawyer is only paid if they successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
With these fee agreements, the attorney covers all costs associated with investigating your claim, hiring experts, and filing legal documents. If your claim is successful, the attorney receives a percentage of the final settlement or award. If your lawyer doesn’t win your case, you owe nothing in attorney’s fees.
This structure gives injured individuals access to skilled legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. Kenny Ramirez Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers offers contingency fees in all personal injury cases. We also offer free consultations to help you understand your rights and options after experiencing harm due to government negligence.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a San Bernardino Government Entity Liability Lawyer Today
Being injured due to government negligence in San Bernardino, California, can feel like a losing battle. But the right legal team can help cut through the red tape and get justice. At Kenny Ramirez Law Firm Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve helped injury victims across San Bernardino hold government agencies accountable for negligence.
We have recovered over $35 million and are ready to help you. If you believe a public entity caused or contributed to your injuries, don’t wait. Call our office today or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a trusted San Bernardino government entity liability lawyer.