Legal Question in Personal Injury in California
punitive damages law
I need to know what specifically does the law say concerning punitive damages brought by lawsuit against a city.
Asked on 1/10/06, 3:15 pm
2 Answers from Attorneys
Robert F. Cohen
Law Office of Robert F. Cohen
Re: punitive damages law
Government entities generally are immune from claims for punitive damages.
Answered on 1/13/06, 4:40 pm
Michael Stone
Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE
Re: punitive damages law
You can't get punitive damages against the city because you would in effect be punishing the taxpayers (who did not directly cause your injuries). You can sue individual defendants (for example a cop who uses excessive force) for punitive damages. If your case really merits punitive damages you should have no prpblem finding an attorney. Watch those tricky legal deadlines!
Answered on 1/13/06, 5:12 pm