The California Tort Claims Act allows individuals to sue the state government in limited circumstances, such as premises liability cases. The effect of this statute is to incorporate "general standards of tort liability as the primary basis for respondeat superior liability of public entities. . .The district was vicariously liable for the teacher's acts and directly liable for its own negligence. If your child was injured at school, our skilled California school negligence lawyers can help you make a claim against the government. Student suicide and school liability. William S. Friedlander. As a teacher, could you face personal liability in a school-related lawsuit? This includes willful and malicious torts as well as negligence. California school districts may be held liable when their employees are negligent.