Located in northern Orange County, California, the city of Brea was originally a center for crude oil production when it was founded in the late 19th century. Later, the city was known for its citrus groves, but eventually, citrus production was replaced by retail stores and shopping centers, like the Brea Mall. The city is also known for having an extensive collection of artwork, which can be found in public spaces, especially in downtown Brea.
The city of Brea has a 5-member council that’s in charge of governing the city. In addition, there are various departments, like the Brea Fire Department and the Brea Police Department. These entities have many duties to the residents and visitors to the city, including emergency services, maintaining city parks and buildings, and fixing dangerous road conditions. Sadly, city governments are often negligent in their duty of care, which is why they are often sued for compensation.
The personal injury lawyers of Normandie can help you file a claim and receive the funds you are entitled for any type of accident caused by the city of Brea, including:
- Slip and fall on properties owned / operated by the city
- Sidewalk accidents resulting in trip and fall injuries
- Injured by a falling object
- Roof, ceiling, building collapse
- Accident caused by city vehicle – car crash, injuries to pedestrians, etc.
- Assault and battery by city employee (including sexual assault)
Please reach out to us as soon as possible, since government claims for damage have tight deadlines, starting from the date of injury. For a free case evaluation on your right to sue the City of Brea, contact the offices of Normandie Law Firm.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$2.5 Million
$1.1 Million
$1.5 Million
$600,000
$525,000
$734,851
How Do I File a Claim against the City of Brea?
Most city governments make their claim form available online, but with the City of Brea, you must ask for the form by contacting the city Clerk in the following ways:
- Pick up the claim form in person from the Clerk’s Office at City Hall (1 Civic Center Drive, 3rd Floor, Brea, CA, 92821)
- Call the City Clerk’s Office at (714) 990-7756
- Request the form by email at cityclerksgroup@cityofbrea.net
Once you get the paperwork, read the instructions carefully and include as much information as possible, including bills, medical records, and other evidence to show the losses you’ve incurred. The forms will also have instructions on how to file the claim (in person, by mail, etc.).
As you read through the questions on the form, it will become clear to you that the claims process is more complicated than most people realize. That’s why our legal team is here for you if you need help completing a compensation claim with the city of Brea, CA. Just give us a call and talk to a lawyer who is experienced in accident claims against government departments in California.
All Claims with the City of Brea Must be Filed in 6 Months!
Claims against the city of Brea must be filed no later than 6 months from the date of incident causing harm and/or damage. This is not specific to the city of Brea; all government claims have a 6 month deadline according to a legislation known as the California Tort Claims Act, or CTCA for short. The deadline applies to compensation claims due to negligence by a government agency or staff member at the city, county, and state levels. Thus, there is no exception to the rule unless you have an extreme circumstance that the city is willing to consider. However, we can tell you from experience that people generally lose their right to seek compensation if they exceed the 6-month statute of limitations.
Taking immediate action is the key to obtaining the payment you deserve. Contact our law firm and let one of our attorneys assist you with an accident claim against the City of Brea, California.
What Happens after I Send in the Claim?
The City Clerk’s Office will send you confirmation of receiving your claim, so you know exactly what date it was processed by the city. This is important, as government agencies have 45 days to get back to a claimant that is seeking damages for bodily harm or loss / devaluation of property. After 45 days, you should receive an email or letter in the mail notifying you of the city’s decision.
If the city accepts liability and agrees to pay you for the accident, your journey through the legal system is over, and all you have to do is wait for the check. What are your rights, though, if the city rejects your claim?
As long as the rejection is in writing, you have 6 months from the date of denial to petition the courts for a lawsuit. This is undoubtedly a tight deadline, so you should contact a lawyer immediately to help you file the necessary paperwork. There is also the possibility that the city will not respond at all, even though it’s been more than 45 days. This is known as a rejection by default, which also allows you to file a lawsuit through the court system. However, the statute of limitations to sue is 2 years from whenever the incident occurred, which is the standard deadline for a personal injury claim.
How Much can I Receive if I Sue the City of Brea?
The amount you can receive from a city government injury claim may be anywhere from $5,000 to over $2,000,000. Many people are interested in finding out the average value of these cases. However, this is difficult to determine, as people end up with different injuries, monetary losses, and emotional trauma from an accident that was caused by someone else. For example, you can look at 2 different cases of car accidents due to reckless driving by a city employee and find that one person ends up with a little under $15,000, while the other victim receives over $400,000 in damages.
This is why it’s essential to consult an experienced personal injury lawyer who can calculate your current and future medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other types of compensation.
Expected Wait Time to Settle a City of Brea Accident Claim
The time that is required to settle an accident case against the city of Brea is about 1 to 2 years for those with moderate to serious injuries. Cases of mild injury may settle in less than 6 months, but this is not an absolute rule. It’s important to remember that suing the city starts out with filing a claim, and depending on the city’s response, you will need to proceed with a lawsuit. Rejections are quite common, and as a result, filing a lawsuit is not unusual with these cases. It’s always our goal to negotiate a settlement directly with the City of Brea, and we manage to do so for about 95% of all claims. For the handful of cases that go to trial, recovering payment on behalf of the client can take 3 or more years.
Contact a California Government Claims Lawsuit Attorney
Lawsuits against a government entity are extremely challenging, and there are many obstacles in the way for those who are entitled to compensation. That’s why the lawyers of Normandie are here for you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. During a free consultation, we can advise you of your rights as an accident victim and go over the legal actions that are available to you.
If you decide to file a claim against the city of Brea, we will take immediate action to investigate your case, gather evidence, and build a solid case to show that you are a victim of negligence or misconduct. If you’re wondering how much we will charge for our services, the answer is $0. Our law firm has a Zero Fee Guarantee for those who are injured in an accident, so it’s the City of Brea that pays for the cost of legal fees. Your settlement check from the city includes our payment, so we don’t get paid unless you get paid.
Contact us today and schedule a free consultation if you would like more information on suing the city of Brea for monetary compensation.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
How to File an Accident Claim against the City of Carpinteria, CA
How to File a Complaint or Accident Report with the City of Salinas, CA
How to File an Incident Report with the City of El Monte, CA
