Doyle APC and the Consumer Law Group of California have filed a class action lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court seeking procedural relief for those affected by the January 2025 Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive urban wildfires in Los Angeles history.
The complaint names the City of Los Angeles and its department, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), and alleges failures that may have caused and exacerbated the wildfire. The complaint alleges that energized downed power lines and critically low water reserves may have left firefighters unable to contain the fire’s spread.
What the Lawsuit Alleges
Based on available evidence and camera footage, the complaint alleges:
- LADWP’s overhead power lines broke during a high-wind event and may have contributed to or ignited the fire.
- LADWP failed to de-energize these lines despite multiple red flag warnings.
- Fire hydrants ran dry due to an empty LADWP reservoir and depleted water tanks that impaired firefighting efforts.
- Thousands of residents were forced to flee, many losing everything.
Note: No official cause determination has been made by CAL FIRE or other authorities.
Why File the Lawsuit Now?
Under California’s Government Claims Act, people must file a written claim with a public entity before they can sue for money damages. This claim must typically be filed within six months of when the incident occurred, unless certain exceptions apply.
For Palisades Fire victims, this deadline could be as early as July 7, 2025. Many victims haven’t filed their claims yet, are still working with insurance adjusters, or may not even be aware of this requirement and deadline.
The primary purpose of this lawsuit is to seek declaratory and injunctive relief to:
- Ask the court to declare that the filing of this class action and subsequent written claim by the class representative satisfies the written claims requirement under the Government Claims Act, preserving the legal rights of all affected fire victims who have not yet filed individual claims.
- Prevent those claims from being barred under the Government Claims Act due to missed deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this lawsuit against?
The City of Los Angeles and its department, LADWP, based on allegations of infrastructure failures that may have contributed to the fire.
Who is included in the class action?
Anyone who lived in or owned property in the affected fire zones of the Palisades Fire and has not already filed an individual claim or lawsuit against LADWP or the City of Los Angeles.
Why is this case important right now?
Before suing a government entity for money damages, people must first file a written claim within six months of the incident—unless certain exceptions apply. Since the Palisades Fire started in early January 2025, victims may need to submit their formal claims to the government by July 7, 2025.
This lawsuit asks the court to deem that deadline satisfied for all fire victims in the class by treating the class action filing as substantial compliance with the claims requirement.
What does the lawsuit seek?
Currently, only declaratory and injunctive relief to preserve the legal rights of fire victims under the Government Claims Act. The lawsuit does not currently seek monetary damages.
What about monetary damages for fire losses?
This lawsuit focuses on procedural relief regarding claims deadlines. Individual fire victims retain their rights to pursue damage claims through other legal avenues after complying with applicable procedures.
Do I need to pay anything to join?
No. The case is being handled on a contingency fee basis and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation.
Will this affect my insurance claim?
No.
Will this interfere with my individual case?
No. This case is specifically designed to preserve your rights while you pursue individual claims. The class definition excludes those who have already filed individual lawsuits or claims.
How do I get involved in the class action?
You don’t need to do anything right now. The case is being filed on behalf of everyone affected. If the court certifies it as a class action, you’ll get a notice explaining your rights and options.
Do I still need to file an individual government claim?
While this lawsuit seeks to address the claims requirement for the class, you may want to consult with an attorney about your specific situation and whether to file an individual claim as additional protection.