Dangerous Conditions of Public Property
Serving Oxnard & All Of Ventura
At The Schurmer Firm we regularly receive calls from injured individuals who believe a state or local government agency may be responsible for the injuries they have suffered as a result of an accident.
In cases involving dangerous conditions on public property it is extremely important for you to work with an experienced and talented litigator as there are a number of legal nuances your attorney must be aware of to successfully present a claim against a public entity.
Call (805) 470-1628 to discuss your case and discover how we can help. We offer free case evaluations and provide personal injury help for Oxnard and all Ventura County.
What Is Considered a Dangerous Condition?
According to Government Code Section 830:
A ‘Dangerous condition’ means a condition of property that creates a substantial (as distinguished from a minor, trivial or insignificant) risk of injury when such property or adjacent property is used with due care in a manner in which it is reasonably foreseeable that it will be used.
Or more simply put, a dangerous condition exists when there is a considerable risk of injury when the property is used as expected.
This code section applies specifically to governmental bodies including:
- The city
- County
- State
- Other public entities (See Governmental Liability)
The following are examples of different types of situations that might constitute a dangerous condition on public property case:
- Uplifted, uneven and cracked sidewalks and pathways caused by tree roots and other items. (See Slip/Trip Falls) Occasionally these cases can be pursued as cases against the responsible public entity and as well as against the private home or landowner.
- Negligent ownership, maintenance and control of recreational areas such as lakes, sand dunes and other similar areas.
- Negligent ownership, maintenance and control of public property that leads to dangerous conduct from third persons.
- Dangerous design, maintenance, repair and control of public roadways and intersections.
Examples of Dangerous Conditions Include:
- Dangerous street and road drop offs like cliffs and ravines
- Defective or missing guardrails
- Improper drainage that can lead to ponding and hydroplaning
- Dangerous and blind curves from inappropriate design
- Lack of, inappropriate, or poorly placed warning signs
- Potholes, subsidence and road cave-ins
- Visibility restrictions due to improper design or other hazards
What Is a Public Entity Claim?
In personal injury cases, you typically have two years to bring a claim against the responsible parties. In any public entity claim you are subject to much shorter time frames and must file a claims notice with the responsible government agencies within 6 months of the injury.
If you fail to file your claims notice, your claim may be permanently barred. As a result of the shortened time frames it is extremely important that you contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible after your injury.
Many clients find that trying to file the claim with the appropriate government agency can be very difficult because determining who is responsible for the area in question isn’t always easy. At The Schurmer Firm we will help you determine who the responsible government agency (or agencies) is and will file the claim on your behalf.
If your claim is denied, we will move forward with litigation and will file a lawsuit on your behalf. At The Schurmer Firm we have handled a large number of cases involving dangerous conditions on public property and will help you through every step of the claims process.
We will ensure that timely notice is provided to the responsible government agencies ensuring your right to bring a lawsuit if necessary.
Types of Recovery
After suffering an injury as a result of a dangerous condition on public property many of our clients are understandably concerned about whether or not they will be adequately compensated for their injuries.
While every case is different, if you have complied with the notice requirements and we are able to prove that the government agency is responsible for your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses related to your injuries
- Any time missed from work
- Your inability to return to your previous work
- Disfigurement and permanent scaring
- Pain and suffering as a result of the accident
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"The whole staff is nice and professional."
- Martha Mora -
"I want to thank all the staff at this firm!"
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"The first day I met Mr. Schurmer he was very nice and courteous, right away he told me that he was going to do everything he could to help me and he did."
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How We Can Help
Each case involving a dangerous condition on public property involves its own factual scenarios requiring the attention of an experienced and knowledgeable attorney. Our team at The Schurmer Firm we have over twenty years of experience handling these types of cases and understand the challenges our clients face pursuing a claim against the government.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a dangerous condition on public property, we encourage you to give us a call to discuss your case.
Our firm's personal promise and commitment to you is to make sure that we care about you as a person. Every client who has been injured deserves the proper representation and our goal at The Schurmer Firm is to ensure that they get that.
Decades of Experience
Millions of Dollars Recovered
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$1 Million Policy Limit Settlement
Settlement for man and wife rear-ended by a truck on the freeway.
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$6 Million Medical Malpratice
A settlement was won on behalf of a woman that suffered permanent and disabling injuries.
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$100,000 Settlement
A man was injured when an empty lemon crate fell on his shoulder while it was being offloaded from a truck with a forklift.
