Two federal judges from Pacific Palisades are taking legal action against the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) after losing their homes in a devastating fire earlier this year. U.S. District Judge Dean Pregerson and former magistrate judge Vijay “Jay” Gandhi, along with their families, filed the lawsuit last week in Los Angeles Superior Court. They are part of a larger group of residents who are holding the utility accountable for what they claim was a lack of preparation and inadequate response to the wildfire.
The lawsuit alleges that the fire, which swept through the Palisades area, was caused by the utility’s failure to maintain essential water and power resources. Specifically, it points to empty reservoirs and energized power lines as contributing factors. The Santa Ynez Reservoir, located nearby, was reportedly offline for repairs during the firefight, which the lawsuit argues left the area vulnerable.
The complaint highlights warnings from the National Weather Service about extreme fire conditions leading up to the blaze. The judges argue that despite these warnings, the LADWP was not ready to handle the situation. The utility has responded by stating that no water system can be fully prepared for a wildfire of such scale and speed. They also assert that established legal precedents protect them from liability for wildfire damages.
Gandhi, who previously mediated settlements for fire-related cases, expressed his concerns about the city’s responsibility. He believes the city must acknowledge the risks associated with its infrastructure and take responsibility for the consequences of its mismanagement.
This lawsuit is not an isolated case. It is part of a larger wave of legal actions against the LADWP, with over 750 residents joining similar lawsuits. Homeowners are seeking compensation for damages they believe resulted from the utility’s mishandling of water resources and power lines during the fire.
The judges’ lawsuit has been consolidated with more than ten other cases against the LADWP. As these legal battles unfold, affected residents are hoping for accountability and improvements to prevent future disasters.