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 a lawsuit last week. They claim that the LADWP did not adequately prepare for the wildfire or respond effectively when it broke out in January.
The lawsuit, submitted to the Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges that the fire was sparked by issues related to LADWP’s infrastructure, specifically empty reservoirs and active power lines. The Santa Ynez Reservoir, crucial for firefighting efforts, was notably empty during the blaze because it had been shut down for repairs months earlier.
The judges’ complaint highlights that the National Weather Service had issued severe warnings about the fire risks in the area, including a “Particularly Dangerous Condition-Red Flag Warning.” Despite these alerts, the LADWP was unprepared for the intensity of the fire, according to the lawsuit.
The LADWP has responded to the lawsuit, asserting that it was prepared for various emergency situations but not for a wildfire of such magnitude. The department has maintained that it cannot be held liable for the damages caused by the fire, citing established legal precedents that protect water utilities from such claims.
However, Pregerson and Gandhi, acting as residents rather than in their official judicial capacities, disagree with the LADWP’s defense. Gandhi, who previously mediated settlements between fire victims and Pacific Gas & Electric, emphasized the need for the city to take responsibility for the situation. He described the Palisades fire as a clear indication of risks that had been ignored for too long.
This lawsuit is part of a larger wave of legal actions against the LADWP. More than 750 residents have joined similar lawsuits, seeking compensation for damages they believe were caused by the utility’s mismanagement of water resources and electrical infrastructure during the fire.
The judges’ claims have been consolidated with over ten other lawsuits against the LADWP. As the legal battles unfold, residents continue to express their frustration over the utility’s preparedness and response to the fire, which many believe could have been mitigated with better infrastructure management.