Lexington, KY asked in Personal Injury and Gov & Administrative Law for Kentucky

Q: What types of situations would a police officer who hit my car with his not have governmental immunity?

2 Lawyer Answers
Anna Aleksander
PREMIUM
Anna Aleksander
Answered
  • Louisville, KY
  • Licensed in Kentucky

A: Normally if this was an accident due to negligence there would not be immunity and they typically would not invoke any immunity for tort liability.

Anna Aleksander
PREMIUM
Anna Aleksander
Answered
  • Louisville, KY
  • Licensed in Kentucky

A: [W]hen sued in their individual capacities, public officers and employees enjoy only qualified official immunity, which affords protection from damages liability for good faith judgment calls made in a legally uncertain environment.   Qualified official immunity applies to the negligent performance by a public officer or employee of (1) discretionary acts of functions, i.e., those involving the exercise of discretion and judgment, or personal deliberation, decision, and judgment;  (2) in good faith;  and (3) within the scope of the employee's authority.   An act is not necessarily “discretionary” just because the officer [or employee] performing it has some discretion with respect to the means or method to be employed.

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