The start of 2025 has brought unexpected challenges, with devastating wildfires sweeping across Los Angeles and other disasters causing widespread destruction. As a result, personal injury and wrongful death cases following natural disasters have become a pressing concern throughout California. But under what grounds can you file a lawsuit?
Experienced personal injury attorneys (Los Angeles) can help you gather crucial evidence to pursue claims for various damages — whether they are physical, emotional, or psychological. This article will outline potential avenues for personal injury and wrongful death claims following natural disasters.
The Challenges of Filing Lawsuits After Natural Disasters
Filing personal injury or wrongful death claims following natural disasters is generally challenging unless the harm resulted from another party’s negligence or wrongful actions. Under California law, victims can hold responsible parties liable if human error, inadequate safety measures, poor maintenance, or policy violations contributed to the disaster.
For example, if a wildfire was caused by an arsonist, that person could face both criminal charges and civil liability for damages. Similarly, if a utility company fails to maintain power lines sparked by a fire, victims may have grounds to sue for negligence and inverse condemnation.
Property owners, government agencies, and businesses must follow safety regulations. This includes fire safety policies, building codes, and flood prevention measures. If they fail to do so, they may be also be held responsible.
Common Legal Foundations To File a Claim
Negligence
A party can be held liable for negligence if they fail to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm to others. In wildfire cases, for example, utility companies can be held liable under negligence if their failure to maintain power lines led to significant fires.
California Building Code
California has strict earthquake and fire safety regulations under the California Building Code. Property owners, landlords, and construction companies may be liable if their failure to comply with safety standards leads to injury or death during an earthquake, fire, or flood.
Premises Liability
Property owners have a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions. If inadequate disaster prevention measures — such as failure to clear brush, defective fire suppression systems, or unreinforced structures — contribute to injuries or death, victims or surviving family members may sue under premises liability.
Inverse Condemnation
California law allows property owners to seek compensation from public utilities or government entities when public infrastructure failures cause damage.
For example, if a flood or mudslide occurs due to poorly designed public drainage systems, government agencies may be liable. Additionally, if a wildfire is sparked by utility company equipment, victims may sue even if the utility was not negligent.
Schedule a Free Consultation With the Best Personal Injury Attorneys (Los Angeles and Surrounding Southern California Region)
Wrongful death and personal injury cases following natural disasters can be physically, emotionally, and financially overwhelming. When negligence is involved — whether by a utility company, government agency, or private property owner — you have the right to seek compensation.
Our Los Angeles personal injury law firm is here to handle your case and guide you through the process to minimize distress and feelings of overwhelm. Call us today or fill out our contact form to discuss your claim with a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles.