LAPD Fireworks Blast Lawsuit Settled for $475K
Table of Contents
Case Background
On June 30, 2021, residents of East 27th Street in Los Angeles faced a neighborhood emergency. Police and bomb squad technicians from the Los Angeles Police Department responded to reports of illegal fireworks stored near San Pedro Street. City officials moved the fireworks into a containment vessel for detonation. The neighborhood was densely populated with homes, cars, and families. Plaintiffs Luisa Bonilla, Benjamin Hernandez Sotelo, Lessly Alejandra Rios, and minors Alisson and Viktor Sotelo lived nearby.
Cause
The LAPD Bomb Squad miscalculated the weight of the fireworks. They loaded the containment vessel far above its safety rating. City officials and employees failed to properly plan, inspect, or secure the explosives. When they attempted to detonate the fireworks, a massive explosion tore through the neighborhood. The blast shattered windows, damaged homes, and destroyed cars. The Plaintiffs argued the City ignored safety standards, best practices, and its duty to protect residents.
Injury
The explosion seriousl
Continue Reading This Article
Subscribe to access this article and our entire library of legal content.