what attorney to sue water department

If you have suffered water damage and are thinking of suing a water company, you should consult an experienced property lawyer for help. A property lawyer will know the specific laws in your state and the agencies that manage and operate your local water utility.

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Can I sue if my water service is stopped?

Aug 16, 2021 · Yes, it is essential to have the assistance of a property lawyer if your water service is stopped. The termination of water service can have a devastating effect on you as well as your family. Your lawyer can review your situation, help you avoid a termination of service, or assist you in getting your service reinstated.

Do I need a lawyer for water disputes?

Sep 22, 2021 · A property lawyer will know the specific laws in your state and the agencies that manage and operate your local water utility. If a lawsuit should become necessary, an experienced lawyer is best prepared to gather the evidence necessary to prove your case and support it with an expert opinion. Susan Nerlinger.

Do I need a lawyer for water damage damages?

Jan 09, 2013 · On Tuesday the water department shut off my water because I had arrears of $400 or so and, though was making monthly on-time payments I had set up with them, apparently accidentally missed December's payment. I saw her in front yard and she was shutting it off and begged to let me pay then, she said no go to the department.

Who can be an expert witness in a water company lawsuit?

Nov 27, 2012 · If not, your only recourse might be to sue. You may have a cause of action against the permitting entity (city) as well, but in my opinion a suit against the property owner would be more effective. Another approach would be to report the problem to the water management district or Department of Environmental Protection.

What is the new water law in California?

The laws establish a standard of 55 gallons per person per day until January 2025, and then to 50 gallons per person per day in 2030.

How do you do a Sue Sue?

California Courts lists these as the steps for how to sue someone....The bottom lineFigure Out How to Name the Defendant.Ask for Payment.Find the Right Court to File Your Claim.Fill Out Your Court Forms.File Your Claim.Serve Your Claim.Go to Court.

Can I sue my attorney for negligence in California?

If your lawyer makes a mistake in your matter, you can sue the lawyer for malpractice. Generally, clients should file legal malpractice lawsuits within one year of the date when the attorney-client relationship ended, or the claim can be barred. Attorneys who are being sued are formidable adversaries.

What are the easiest things to sue for?

The law must support your contention that you were harmed by the illegal actions of another.Bad Debt. A type of contract case. ... Breach of Contract. ... Breach of Warranty. ... Failure to Return a Security Deposit. ... Libel or Slander (Defamation). ... Nuisance. ... Personal Injury. ... Product Liability.More items...

Do you need a lawyer to sue someone?

You can sue without a lawyer, but in most cases, and depending on the type of case, it may be more work than you anticipated. In some states, you cannot hire a lawyer to represent you in small claims court. However, in most other situations, you can and should be represented by a lawyer.May 22, 2018

How hard is it to win a malpractice lawsuit?

The statistics show that there is only a 2% chance that the victim wins a medical malpractice claim. However, this does not mean that you are not entitled to compensation, and this is why you should always consult with a medical malpractice attorney to find the best solution for your claim.Feb 22, 2021

What is unethical for a lawyer?

Attorney misconduct may include: conflict of interest, overbilling, refusing to represent a client for political or professional motives, false or misleading statements, knowingly accepting worthless lawsuits, hiding evidence, abandoning a client, failing to disclose all relevant facts, arguing a position while ...

Does my attorney have to give me my file?

Most documents held by your lawyer that relate to the case are yours—ask for them. In some states, however, a lawyer may have some rights to a file until the client pays a reasonable amount for work done on the case.Jun 7, 2018

What is the responsibility of a water company?

The water company must take care to install, maintain, and repair its water mains, reservoirs, dams, pumps, and pipes to avoid damaging nearby property owners and the public in general. When it is negligent in its duties, it can be liable for any damage that it directly causes.

What are some examples of damage caused by water companies?

Some examples of damage caused by the water company include: Damage from flooding caused by mains or pipes that burst. Damage from leakage from pipes. Damage from water intentionally released from a dam or reservoir to downstream residents. Damage from water escaping from outdoor storage tanks.

Why does the water company have to inspect pipes?

Because it is so difficult to inspect pipes without digging them up, the water company does not have an obligation to regularly inspect them. However, upon notice, the water company must respond by investigating the problem and making any appropriate repairs in a timely manner.

Can I sue a water company for water damage?

Can I Sue the Water Company for Water Damage to My Property? Yes. Though the water company may be a public utility run by the government, water companies usually do not get governmental immunity, and can be sued if they cause damage to property.

What to do if water is shut off without notice?

If your water has been shut off without notice and one of the above situations does not apply, you should file a complaint with your state's public service commission (also sometimes called public utilities commission), which is the governing body that regulates the rates and services of a public utility. You may also find it helpful ...

How many people were shut off from water in 2016?

The organization Food & Water Watch estimates that water was cut off to 15 million people in 2016, based on information provided by utility companies. Shut-offs are most common in Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida, and Oklahoma, the organization found.

How long do you have to give notice to shut off water?

However, in most states, the law typically requires utility companies to provide at least 10-day notice and make multiple attempts to contact you before disconnecting ...

Can you shut off water temporarily?

Many states have special protections in place for people who are ill or who otherwise would be at risk if their water were to be shut off. In these cases, you can avoid water shutoff, at least temporarily, if you cannot afford to pay your bill. Thank you for subscribing!

Can you shut off water in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, private water companies cannot shut off your service if there is an infant under one-year-old living in your home and you cannot afford to pay your bill. It is also very difficult and rare for water to be shut off in Massachusetts if you and all the adult members of your household are 65 years or older.

Can municipal utilities be exempt from state disconnection policies?

Also, keep in mind that certain utility providers, such as municipal utilities, may be exempt from state disconnection policies.

Can you sue a government employee for an accident?

From a procedural standpoint, the kind of case you're talking about is not a " lawsuit "—at least, it won't start out as one. You cannot usually just file a lawsuit against a government agency or government employee after an accident, the way you would a private citizen or business.

Do I need a lawyer for an accident?

If you think that a local government entity (or a government employee) is to blame for an accident, you don't need to hire a special kind of lawyer in order to bring a legal claim. You're most likely looking for a personal injury lawyer who represents people who have been injured as a result of someone else's negligence.

How to settle a lawsuit for less than the amount of damages?

Negotiate with you to try and settle your case for less than the full amount of damages you’ve specified. Deny the claim outright. There’s very little chance the city will simply accept your claim and pay you the full amount of damages. Most often, the city will try to deny the claim or negotiate the amount down.

Why is it harder to sue a city than to sue an individual?

However, regardless of where you live, one thing is almost certain: it will be harder to sue the city than it would be to sue an individual or private organization, because governments have special legal protections and additional resources that aren’t available to private parties.

What is suing an individual?

Suing an individual or business is something we hear of all the time in the United States. Less common is the suing of a city, state, or other municipality. Can a person even do that?

What are some examples of lawsuits against a city?

Examples of situations that could give rise to a lawsuit against a city include: Being hit by a government vehicle (police car, public works vehicle, parks and rec truck, city bus, construction vehicle, public school bus, etc.) Slipping and falling due to hazardous conditions in a government building, such as City Hall or the Secretary ...

How to file a claim against a city?

First, you’ll generally file a claim with the city government, at which point you’ll be directed to either the city attorney’s office or the risk management division. Once the city receives your claim, it has three options: Accept the claim and pay your damages. Negotiate with you to try and settle your case for less than the full amount ...

What to do if you can't resolve a claim?

If you can’t resolve the claim with the city, you can file a lawsuit against the city for negligence. As with any lawsuit, you’ll need to prove the city was negligent and that the negligence directly caused or contributed to your injuries and damages. You’ll also need to consider whether the at-fault party was a government organization as ...