Public Entity Liability Attorneys in San Bernardino – Serving Southern California
Tragic, serious, and catastrophic injuries are not always caused by human error. All too often, these types of injuries are the result of a “dangerous condition” on public property. When you suffer an injury on public property, you may hold that entity liable for the damages you suffered.
At William D. Shapiro Law, Inc., our San Bernardino public entity liability lawyers are here to help you through this difficult time. Did a dangerous or defectively designed roadway, negligently maintained area, dangerous feature at a school or other public location, or negligent driving of a public employee cause your injury? If so, our attorneys have the knowledge, skill, and experience to handle California, Federal, and other public entity Tort Claims.
Our San Bernardino Government Entity Liability Attorneys Can Help You Through the Process
At William D. Shapiro Law, Inc., we have considerable experience litigating and trying cases involving dangerous conditions on public property. In addition, we understand how difficult it can be when severe or catastrophic injuries are caused by the abuse of public authority—whether from shootings, beatings, police chases, or other forms of misconduct. That’s why we strive to provide our clients with compassionate yet aggressive representation each step of the way.
For over 40 years, we have helped injured San Bernardino, and Southern California accident victims recover the money they needed to rebuild their lives after a tragic accident. We work with some of the highest caliber traffic, mechanical, and civil engineers to build strong cases against negligent public entities.
What is a Public Entity Tort Claim?
A tort claim is essentially a lawsuit against a government entity for harm caused by negligence or wrongful conduct. If someone suffers an injury due to an unsafe road or sidewalk, they may be able to file a tort claim to recover damages for their pain and suffering. Filing a tort claim is often complicated and time-consuming. That is why it is best to consult with an experienced attorney at our law firm before proceeding with any legal action.
Types of Damages in Public Entity Tort Claims
If you have suffered harm due to the negligence of a public entity, such as the government or a municipality, you may be entitled to compensation through a public entity tort claim. But what damages can you seek in such a claim?
The damages sought in a public entity tort claim fall into two general categories—economic and non-economic. Economic damages are those related to financial losses like medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages are for pain and suffering, emotional distress, or any other intangible losses that may be incurred.
Proving Negligence
To obtain compensation from the responsible public entity, you must prove that their negligence caused the injury or loss. To do this, our lawyers will establish four key elements:
- Duty of care owed by the defendant (public entity)
- Breach of duty resulting from negligent conduct
- Causation between the breach of duty and your injuries
- Actual damages resulting from said injury
Public entity tort claims usually have short filing deadlines, so you must act quickly. In some cases, you may only have months to file a claim. However, even if you believe you’ve missed the deadline, it is important to discuss your legal options with an attorney at our law firm. There are exceptions to the statute of limitations, and you may still qualify.
What if Your Claim is Denied?
If your claim is denied or you feel that you have not been offered adequate compensation for your losses, you may choose to pursue other legal remedies like filing suit against the responsible party or engaging in negotiations with them outside of court. Depending on your specific circumstances, either option could yield better results than attempting to negotiate directly with a public entity.
Time is of the essence
There are specific time requirements and mandates that apply to certain claims depending on the type of claim being made, age of the claimant and who the claim is being made against. We urge you to contact counsel to find out what applies to your situation. Failure to make, serve and/or file a timely claim or complaint will bar even the chance of recovery thus we urge anyone seeking to make a recovery, to immediately retain counsel without delay.
Contact Our Inland Empire Public Entity Liability Lawyers Today
Public entities owe their citizens specific duties of care they must adhere to. When these duties are breached due to negligence, affected accident victims may seek redress through legal means, such as filing a public entity tort claim.
The San Bernardino public entity liability attorneys at William D. Shapiro Law, Inc. can help you seek justice after suffering harm due to the abuse of public authority. We work quickly to help our injured clients obtain the money they need – and deserve. Our lawyers fight aggressively to ensure your rights are protected throughout the legal process. Simply call our law firm at (909) 890-1000 or fill out our confidential contact form today. We offer FREE initial consultations and reviews, so you can quickly get the answers you need.
