For a number of historical and legal reasons, residents of San Mateo and the greater Bay Area need to follow special steps when they sue the state government of California, a state agency or even a local government body. The special rules also apply to suing public employees.
Premises liability applies to inadequate security
Like other states, California's law requires landowners, including homeowners and businesses, to exercise reasonable care to protect guests like customers tenants and the like. Basically, a property owner must be sure the land, and the buildings on the land, are safe and secure. Traditionally, this meant that landowners needed to take steps to prevent people from slipping and falling or from suffering other accidental injuries.
Car accidents can leave victims with hidden injuries
Car accidents are among the most common causes of serious injury, and most people who experience a car accident suffer some sort of discomfort or aching pain afterwards. While no car accident is ideal, it is always relieving for victims to realize that they avoided serious injuries and made it out with only some light bruises or discomfort.
The California Tort Claims Act
When one thinks about it, the government plays an important role in the daily lives of Californians. The government, whether state or local, owns a lot of buildings and land, both so it can carry on its operations or to directly benefit the public. Moreover, public employees help shape how residents of the Bay Area live and work, and many residents may even have jobs with the state or local government. Finally, the government is also engaging contractors to do work on behalf of the public on a regular basis. The bottom line is that many people in the Bay Area will visit public property run by the state or the federal government, and some will do so quite regularly.
