People who lost their homes in the Southern California wildfires will likely not be able to sue the city of Los Angeles, a trial lawyer has said.
Why It Matters
Forecaster AccuWeather expects losses of between $135 billion and $150 billion, with some of the most expensive neighborhoods in the United States badly damaged.
The Los Angeles Fire Department estimates that about 10,000 structures have been burned down or damaged in the city's fires. That includes houses, sheds, garages and cars. Celebrities who lost their homes in the fire included model and actor Paris Hilton, actor Billy Crystal, and actor Miles Teller.
The death toll rose to 24 on Monday.
What To Know
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has faced intense criticism for cutting the fire department's budget in 2024.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley suggested that the city had failed its residents.
During an interview with local news station KTTV on Friday, Crowley said: "We are screaming to be properly funded to make sure that our firefighters can do their jobs so that we can serve the community," adding that there are "huge gaps" in defenses against the four fires that are blazing in Los Angeles.
After Crowley spoke, reality TV star Khloe Kardashian wrote on Instagram: "Mayor Bass you are a joke!!!!"
Newsweek reached out to Bass's office and utility company Edison via email for comment on Monday outside of business hours.
What People Are Saying
Neama Rahmani, president of the West Coast Trial Lawyers law firm in Los Angeles, told Newsweek that he didn't think a lawsuit against Bass or Los Angeles city or county would succeed.
"I don't think LA City or County were anywhere near as prepared as they should have been."
"But I think the lawsuits against the city and county will fail. They have broad immunity in these types of cases, especially for failures to act. I think the better lawsuits will be against Edison for allegedly starting the Eaton and Hurst fires. There is increasing evidence that the utilities were responsible," he said.
He said he believed the fire department's response was "OK, given their limitations."
What Happens Next
California law firms are already preparing legal action.
Attorneys are looking at Southern California Edison and the city of Los Angeles as potential defendants, according to Law.com. Mikal Watts of Watts Law Firm in Austin, Texas, told Law.com that he is already dealing with calls from people who want to sue.
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