Mudslides or landslides can occur after natural disasters, including heavy rain, drought, and wildfires. Here in California, it is easy to say that mudslides occur due to the combination of the effects of drought, wildfire, and rain. In general, mudslides happen the most in areas where wildfires have destroyed vegetation and left the terrain unstable.
Mudslides can be considered one of the most destructive and dangerous incidents that can occur. Of course, property can be ruined, but mudslides have also been associated with injuries and death. If you were injured in a mudslide or a member of your family lost his or her life in a mudslide, you might have grounds to file a lawsuit. For more information about the legal options available to you and your family, contact the experts here at our law firm immediately.
Here at the Normandie Law Firm, our personal injury lawyers are ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to begin or continue your claim. Our lawyers have decades of experience handling all sorts of claims and are ready to help you recover the settlement that you are owed. If you are ready to speak to our experts, contact us today.
Mudslide Injuries
Being caught in a mudslide can result in many different injuries. Some examples of these injuries include head injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, neck injuries, back injuries, fractures, hip injuries, pelvic injuries, knee injuries, lacerations, crushing injuries, scrapes, bruises, etc. Mudslides can also result in drowning. In many cases, mudslides are ultimately fatal.
In addition to physical injuries, mudslides can also result in significant property damage. In fact, mudslides in the past have swept away homes and destroyed neighborhoods.
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The Right to File a Lawsuit
Can you really sue for the harm or damage caused by a mudslide? Many might argue that there is no way to sue for a mudslide as it is a natural disaster that occurs randomly. However, mudslides can sometimes occur as a direct result of the negligent actions of a party or entity.
For example, the Thomas Fire which burned over 280,000 acres in Santa Barbara County in late 2017 was found to have been a main factor in the mudslides that occurred in the first weeks of 2018. Over 20 innocent people died as a result of the flash floods and mudslides that swept through neighborhoods in Montecito. The cause of the death for each victim was determined to be “multiple traumatic injuries due to flash flood with mudslides due to recent wildfire.” In this example, affected parties have grounds to file a lawsuit against the utility company, which was found to negligently had started the fire that ultimately led to the fatal mudslides.
What about mudslides that did not occur due to fires? Mudslides can also be associated with the construction of roads, for example. As long as the cause of the mudslide can be traced back to the negligent parties of a party or entity, whether it’s a utility company, a city agency, etc., then affected parties could have the right to file a lawsuit.
What if the Mudslide Injury Occurred in a Private Home?
Many people mistakenly believe that they cannot file lawsuits if their injuries occur in private homes; after all, that’s what homeowner’s insurance is for. However, when the incident occurs as a direct result of the negligence of another party or entity, then said party would be liable and could be sued for negligence.
For more information about your right to file a lawsuit for the harm that you or a loved one suffered in a mudslide, do not hesitate to contact the experts here at our law firm as soon as possible. Our mudslide lawsuit lawyers are ready to take on the utility company the city agency or any other entity at-fault for the mudslide.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Whether you file an injury claim or a wrongful death claim, you could be entitled to recover monetary compensation. The different categories available for recovery could include the following:
- Medical costs
- Lost earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
- Loss of support
- Loss of consortium
- Funeral and burial costs
- Legal fees
Of course, the specific type and amount of compensation that you could recover will always be based on the details surrounding the incident. These details include the severity of the injuries or whether the injuries were fatal, the victim’s wage history, etc. Here at our law firm, our lawyers are completely dedicated to getting you the maximum recovery available for your claim.
What is the average value of these types of claims? This is a very important question. How much are mudslide wrongful death claims worth? With a quick online search, you could easily find a large $13 million settlement for a wrongful death mudslide lawsuit. However, it is important to note that this settlement does not represent the average settlement for these types of cases. In fact, it is nearly impossible to establish an average case value because every case is so different.
So, how much compensation can you expect? The compensation that you can receive for your mudslide injury or wrongful death claim can be worth anywhere from just a few thousand dollars to millions. The best way to get a better understanding of the possible value of your claim is to speak to an experienced lawyer that can evaluate your claim. For more information, contact the experts here at our law firm today.
How Long Do I Have to File My Claim?
All claims are subject to a statute of limitations. This statute of limitations determines the total length of time that claimants have to file their claims. If claimants do not file their claims on time, then they can lose their right to sue. So, how long do you have to file your lawsuit? In California, both injury claims and wrongful death claims are subject to a two-year statute of limitations. This means that claimants only have two years to file a lawsuit. Of course, exceptions could apply. For more information about the total length of time that you have to file your claim, contact the experts here at our law firm immediately.
Contact Normandie Law Firm Today – Free Consultations and Free Second Opinions
If you or a loved one were injured because of a mudslide or a landslide that was caused by the negligence of an entity like a utility company or a city agency, you could have grounds to file a lawsuit. If you are interested in speaking with a mudslide injury attorney, you should contact us at your earliest convenience. Our lawyers are more than ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to begin or continue your mudslide accident claim and recover the payout that you are owed. Here at our law firm, we offer free legal services, which include both free consultations and free second opinions. During these free legal services, our experts will be available to answer all your questions and address absolutely all of your concerns. No matter whether you are looking to begin your claim or redirect it and switch lawyers after starting your claim elsewhere, our lawyers can help!
Our Zero-Fee guarantee ensures that you will never have to pay upfront legal costs for any of our legal services. In addition, we work on contingency, so you will not be required to pay anything until after winning your claim.
If you are ready to discuss your legal options with the experts here at our law firm, contact us today.
