Opinion ID: 2460196
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Liability of the Commonwealth

Text: The Burns Estate maintains that the Commonwealth of Kentucky negligently failed to train and supervise Trooper Stockton and that Stockton negligently failed to provide for the safety of Burns. Therefore, they claim that the state is responsible for the negligent acts of its officials acting in their official capacity. Section 231 of the Kentucky Constitution provides that the General Assembly may by law direct in what manner and in what courts suits may be brought against the Commonwealth. KRS Chapter 44. This language has been part of the law of Kentucky since its establishment as a state in 1792. It is recognized that the Commonwealth of Kentucky is immune from civil suit except as provided by this section, and that the legislature has vested the Board of Claims with exclusive jurisdiction over claims for damages against the Commonwealth arising out of allegations of negligence. Consequently, the complaint against the Commonwealth was properly dismissed.