Date: May 28, 2025
Location: San Diego, CA
The Consumer Law Group of California and Doyle APC have filed a class action lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on behalf of individuals and families impacted by the January 2025 Palisades Fire.
The suit names the City of Los Angeles and its department, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), for their alleged negligence in causing and worsening the wildfire. The fire was allegedly sparked by energized power lines and made worse by critical water system failures that left firefighting crews unable to contain the fire’s spread.
What the Lawsuit Alleges
- Power lines owned by LADWP allegedly ignited the fire during a severe windstorm.
- Despite extreme red flag warnings, LADWP failed to shut down its power grid.
- Fire hydrants ran dry due to an empty reservoir and depleted water tanks.
- Thousands of residents suffered massive losses with little or no time to respond.
“This lawsuit is about accountability and fairness,” said Alan M. Mansfield of Consumer Law Group of California. “Victims of this disaster should not lose their right to seek justice because of an arbitrarily short deadline that is futile to even have to consider based on the positions taken by the City of Los Angeles.”
Why the Lawsuit Was Filed Now
Under California’s Government Claims Act, before initiating a lawsuit for money damages against a public entity, individuals are to present a written claim to that entity within six months of the accrual of the cause of action unless excused as futile or otherwise satisfied. For the Palisades Fire, that deadline could come due as early as July 7, 2025. Many victims haven’t yet filed or are still having their claims adjusted, and may not even know they need to.
This class action seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to protect those victims by:
- Asking the court to declare that the filing and pendency of this class action and/or presentment of a written claim to Defendants on behalf of all such persons satisfies the written claims requirement on behalf of the proposed Class and constitutes substantial compliance with the procedural requirements of the Government Claims Act for those affected.
- Preventing those claims from being barred under the Government Claims Act.
How to Get Involved
If you or someone you know lost a home, business, or personal belongings in the January 2025 Palisades Fire and have not submitted a claim to the City of Los Angeles, you may be eligible to participate.
Media Contact
Alan M. Mansfield
Lead media contact and spokesperson
Consumer Law Group of California
(619) 308-5034
alan@clgca.com
Frequently Asked Questions – January 2025 Palisades Fire Class Action
Who is this lawsuit against?
The City of Los Angeles and its department, LADWP. The lawsuit alleges that their negligence caused and contributed to the fire that devastated parts of Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Topanga Canyon.
Who is included in the class action?
Anyone who lived in or owned property in the affected areas of the Palisades Fire and has not already filed a legal claim or lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles or LADWP.
Why is this case important right now?
Because before filing a lawsuit for money damages against a public entity, an individual is to present a written claim within six months unless doing so is excused as futile. Based on the date the Palisades fire started, victims may need to submit a formal claim to the government as early as July 7, 2025.
This lawsuit presently asks the court to extend or deem that deadline satisfied for all fire victims in the class.
What does the lawsuit seek?
At this stage, only declaratory and injunctive relief. The case may later be amended to seek monetary compensation after the government claim process has been concluded.
Do I need to pay anything to join?
No. This case is being handled on a contingency basis — there are no upfront costs, and you will only owe fees if compensation is recovered on your behalf.
Will this affect my insurance claim?
No. This is a separate legal action. If you have insurance, it may help reduce your losses, but you may still have uncovered damages.
How do I get involved?
Use the form below to submit your information. Our team will review your case and follow up if you may qualify to participate.
Join the Palisades Fire Lawsuit
If you were affected by the January 2025 Palisades Fire and haven’t yet filed a legal claim, you may be eligible to participate case. Please complete the form below to request a free case review. There’s no cost or obligation, and your information is kept confidential.
Pacific Palisades Class Action Contact Form
This form does not create an attorney-client relationship. Submitting your information allows us to evaluate your eligibility and contact you about your legal options if appropriate.