Negligence

The Bobcat Fire began on September 6, 2020, inside the Angeles National Forest near Cogswell Dam. Investigators traced the ignition to a tree in contact with Southern California Edison’s (SCE) power lines. Utility Tree Service (UTS), responsible for vegetation clearance, worked under contract with SCE. Despite known hazards, the tree remained untrimmed. The fire burned over 114,577 acres, destroyed 171 structures, damaged 47, and forced widespread evacuations. It devastated wildlife habitats, including endangered species, and damaged cultural and recreational resources.SCE operated power lines under a federal Special Use Permit requiring safe maintenance. UTS assumed vegetation clearance duties. Both companies knew about the hazardous tree but failed to act. Previous pruning and visible canopy intrusion showed long-standing risks. When the tree touched the power line, it sparked flames. The fire spread quickly across forest land. Federal law and state codes impose duties on u

On August 13, 2020, Jenny Ramirez Valdivia struck a concrete barrier while riding her scooter near Pier 19 in San Francisco. She alleged poor lighting and unsafe sidewalk conditions created a hidden hazard that caused her fall and serious injuries. Valdivia claimed negligence and dangerous condition of public property against the City and County of San Francisco. The City denied liability and raised multiple defenses. The dispute ended in a $75,000 settlement, avoiding the uncertainties of trial.

A class action led by Townsend Vance and Zachary Haines against Mazda, FCA, and Denso over a defective fuel pump ended with a court-approved settlement on April 15, 2025. The deal released most claims related to the defect, except for personal injury or unrelated property damage. The case was dismissed with prejudice, and class counsel will report after distributing reimbursements.

In the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, Mellisa Morrison sued Mitch Christow and Does 1–20. The case involved an alleged dog attack in San Jose. Morrison claimed Christow owned or controlled a dog with dangerous tendencies. She asserted that Christow knew or should have known about the animal’s behavior. The complaint alleged negligence, strict animal liability, and statutory liability under California Civil Code Section 3342.On September 23, 2018, Morrison was lawfully present in San Jose when Christow’s dog attacked her. She alleged the dog had an unusually dangerous propensity. Christow, according to the complaint, failed to restrain or warn about the dog. The attack occurred without provocation. Morrison argued that Christow’s failure to act caused the incident. She claimed the defendant’s negligence directly led to her injuries and that his inaction disregarded her safety.The attack caused Morrison serious physical injuries. She sustained signi

State Farm sued the City and County of San Francisco after a decayed tree collapsed onto a home, causing over $434,000 in damages. Despite repeated warnings, the City failed to act. The City denied responsibility, raising multiple defenses, including statutory immunity. The case ended in a confidential out-of-court settlement on September 19, 2024.

On June 29, 2024, a ceiling collapse in a Miami apartment injured Raquel Recio de Roman while she slept. She and her husband sued the building owner, Little Havana Equities LLC, for negligence and loss of consortium. After the defendant failed to respond, the plaintiffs obtained a default judgment. On June 11, 2025, the Court awarded them $175,000 in damages for medical expenses, emotional distress, and economic loss.

On the morning of November 11, 2022, Timothy Lowell drove to a property at 30 Cross Drive in East Hartford to pick up his co-worker, Casey Harvey, for work. Lowell expected Harvey to be waiting outside, but when he didn’t appear, Lowell called him. As Lowell walked toward the house, the front door suddenly swung open and a pit bull named Archer charged through it. The dog lunged at Lowell, bit him, and caused serious injuries. The property, owned by the estate of William Belch, had been under the control of Patricia Biddle, who served as the executrix of the estate and also lived there.Lowell filed a lawsuit against Biddle—both in her personal capacity and as executor of the estate—as well as against Harvey. He alleged strict liability under Connecticut's dog bite statute, negligence, and recklessness. The case proceeded to a jury trial in April 2025.The Plaintiff alleged that both Patricia Biddle and Casey Harvey were owners or keepers of the dog. He claimed that they

Julio Cesar Ceballo Fuentes filed a lawsuit against EMTS Parts & Services, Inc., alleging negligence and breach of contract after a fall from his truck. EMTS denied responsibility, claiming the plaintiff acted on his own and raised multiple affirmative defenses. On June 11, 2025, a jury found in favor of EMTS, concluding the company was not liable for any injuries or damages, and rejecting all claims brought by the plaintiff.

Angela Samuels sued Miami-Dade County after hitting a pothole on a public road in 2020, claiming serious injury and negligence. She alleged the County failed to maintain safe road conditions. On April 1, 2025, a jury found in favor of the County, concluding it was not liable for her injuries.

In January 2025, a Miami-Dade jury awarded $563,325 to Binish Mahmood in a negligent security lawsuit after her apartment was burglarized. The verdict held the building’s owner and parking operators responsible for failing to staff and monitor the property’s garage, which allowed masked intruders to access and ransack her unit. Mahmood lost over $300,000 in luxury goods and cash and brought claims of negligence and inadequate supervision against multiple parties, including the dissolved entity’s operator.

A Contra Costa County jury awarded Alpha GRP, Inc. $73,474 in its lawsuit against broker Woodruff-Sawyer & Co. for negligent advice on insurance coverage during a business shutdown. The jury found the broker partially liable for recommending tail policies that excluded creditor claims, but also held Alpha mostly responsible. Claims brought by Alpha’s officer Colin Dyne were denied.

A New Haven jury awarded Erik Ramos $402,340 after a left‑turn crash caused by Alan Barton. The verdict found Barton acted negligently and recklessly, making him liable for medical expenses, pain, and emotional distress. Al’s Plumbing and Heating LLC was cleared of any responsibility.