Pajaro River Levee Breach Lawyer – Salinas, CA Law Office

The Salinas lawyers of Nadrich & Cohen are representing individuals, families and businesses who have suffered property damage due to the March 2023 Pajaro River levee breach. We have filed a lawsuit (the lead case) against Monterey County who we believe are responsible for the levee breach. We already have over 150 cases.

Se habla Español.

It is very important for you to know that there is limited time to file a timely claim. This is because the defendants in the levee case are government agencies.

Heavy rain caused the Pajaro River to fail and breech in March 2023. This flooded the town of Pajaro, CA, leading to over 2,000 evacuations. Residents were not allowed to return to Pajaro for almost two weeks. Even then, drinkable water and the sewer system were unavailable.

This isn’t the first time the Pajaro River has broken its levees. A 1995 storm breached the levees of the Pajaro River. Back then, Monterey County, Santa Cruz County and the California Department of Transportation paid for flood damages as a result of a civil lawsuit. Monterey and Santa Cruz counties promised to maintain the river’s levees in the 1940s. Monterey County did not.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Monterey County officials knew for decades that the Pajaro River’s levees weren’t good enough. Officials refused to fix or upgrade them because it “didn’t make financial sense” to protect Pajaro, a low-income town.

Monterey County promised the Army Corps of Engineers to protect the town of Pajaro and then failed to live up to its promise. We will hold the county responsible for its failure by recovering compensation for you in lawsuits. Residents of a town having low incomes is not an excuse to fail to protect the residents.

Nadrich & Cohen and its partners are currently representing the lead plaintiffs who suffered significant losses including property damage, evacuation costs and/or injuries due to the March 2023 Pajaro River levee breach. We are anxious to represent anyone, on a contingency basis, who lived in Pajaro and whose property was flooded due to the levee breach.

Whether you owned or rented property or owned a business in Pajaro, we want to help you. Call us today for a free case review or text us from this page if you or a loved one suffered property damage due to the March 10, 2023 breach of the Pajaro River’s levee. We have Spanish-speaking representatives ready to help you 24/7. We will never charge any fee to represent you until and unless we make a recovery for you. You will never owe us any money out of pocket. Our experienced flood attorneys have been representing Californians since 1990. We and our partners have recovered over $1 billion for our clients. We have an office in Salinas, so we are familiar with all local laws. We already have many clients: homeowners, renters and business owners.

Do I Qualify For Compensation?

Renters, homeowners, businesses and trusts qualify for financial compensation for property damage if:

• They suffered property damage due to the March 10, 2023 Pajaro River levee breach;
• They have a valid residential address.

Compensation For Property Damage

Flooding can cause many kinds of damage to property. If your property was damaged by the March 2023 Pajaro River levee breach, you may be able to recover compensation for:

• Structural damage: Flooding can damage a building’s foundation, walls and support structures. This can lead to cracks or sagging. It can even cause a structure to collapse.
• Water damage: Floodwater can seep into walls, floors and ceilings. This can damage drywall, insulation and other materials. This can cause the growth of mold and mildew, which can damage your health and lead to costly removal.
• Electrical system damage: Floodwater can damage electrical systems. It can damage outlets, switches, wiring and circuit breakers. This can cause electrical shorts or fires, which can require repair or replacement of anything affected.
• Plumbing and sewer system damage: Floodwater can end up in plumbing and sewer systems. It can damage pipes, fixtures and appliances. This can lead to leaks, contamination, and a need for costly repairs or replacements.
• Appliance damage: Floodwater can damage appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, dryers and HVAC systems. This can lead to costly repairs or replacements.
• Flooring damage: Floodwater can damage many types of flooring. This can include carpet, hardwood, laminate and tile. This can lead to costly repairs or replacements.
• Personal property damage: Floods can damage personal belongings like furniture, clothing and electronics. Some of these items may need costly cleaning and restoration. Other items will need replacement.
• Landscaping and outdoor structures: Floodwater can damage landscaping. This can include plants, trees and turf. It can also damage outdoor structures such as decks, fences and sheds.
• Erosion and sedimentation: Floodwater can erode soil. It can also deposit sediment onto your property. This can lead to landscape changes, loss of soil fertility, or foundation problems.
• Contamination: Chemicals, sewage and hazardous materials can contaminate floodwater. These contaminants can damage property and harm health.

It is important to document all flood damage. This includes taking pictures and keeping records of repairs and replacements. This information can be very useful when filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit. Call the Salinas lawyers at 831-301-0707 today.

Compensation For Farm Damage

Flooding significantly impacts farms. It affects crops, livestock, infrastructure and an operation’s productivity. If your farm was harmed by the 2023 Pajaro River levee breach, you will be able to recover compensation for:

• Crop damage: Floodwater can enter fields, causing crop losses. One can lose crops to drowning, root damage or soil erosion. One can lose crops to nutrient leaching or increased susceptibility to pests and diseases. Standing water can cause mold and fungi to grow, which can damage crops.
• Soil erosion and sedimentation: Flooding can erode topsoil, reducing the fertility of soil. This can cause long-term damage to agricultural land. Sedimentation can smother crops and change the landscape. This can make it more difficult to cultivate the land.
• Contamination: Sewage, chemicals and hazardous materials can contaminate floodwater. These things can contaminate crops, soil and water sources. This can harm human and animal health.
• Livestock losses: Floods can injure or kill livestock. Methods include drowning, hypothermia or exposure to contaminated water. Floods can disrupt feed supplies, causing malnutrition or starvation.
• Infrastructure damage: Floods can damage buildings, equipment, fences, roads and irrigation systems. This can disrupt a farm’s operations and lead to costly repairs or replacements.
• Loss of stored products: Flooding can damage stored products like hay, grain or feed. This can cause economic losses and shortages.
• Disruption of farm operations: Floods can disrupt the normal operation of a farm. This can make it hard to access fields, transport goods or carry out essential tasks. This can lead to reduced productivity and losses of money.
• Increased costs: Floods can increase the costs of operating a farm. They can lead to a need for more labor. They can lead to a need for repairs and replacements. They can lead to increased insurance premiums.
• Long-term impacts: Flooding can have long-term effects on a farm. It can impact a farm’s productivity and profitability. It can cause reduced soil fertility and land use changes. It can cause ongoing disruptions to farm operations.
• Mental health impacts: Flood damage can affect the mental health of farmers and their families. This can cause depression, anxiety or other mental health issues.

State Officials Knew Pajaro River’s Levees Weren’t Good Enough

Various state officials knew that the Pajaro River’s levees weren’t properly maintained yet they refused to fix the levees. Plus, the levees may not have been originally designed properly.

It was obvious in 1995 that the Pajaro River’s levees back then weren’t good enough. Around 250 people sued Santa Cruz County, Monterey County and the California Department of Transportation after the Pajaro River broke its levees in 1995 submerging Pajaro and 2,500 acres of farmland. Attorneys during that trial noted that the two counties promised to maintain the river’s levees in 1944. A jury eventually found the defendants responsible for the flooding. The defendants lost and the residents obtained a monetary recovery.

In the nearly 30 years since the 1995 flooding, officials failed to upgrade the levee system to make it strong enough to withstand heavy rain. A 2021 Army Corps webpage stated the levee system “no longer provides the designed level of protection.” The same thing happened all over again.

A Monterey County Supervisor told the Los Angeles Times that little effort has been put into reinforcing the Pajaro River’s levees because the residents of Pajaro are mostly Spanish-speaking and migrant farmworkers.

How Much Does It Cost For The Salinas Lawyers At Nadrich & Cohen To Represent You?

Our experienced flood damage lawyers are contingency fee lawyers. This means we do not charge a fee until and unless we win your case. We work on a commission basis only. The only fee we charge is a percentage of any money we recover for you. We do not charge you if we do not recover money for you. That is our no fee, no cost guarantee. We work with contractors, engineers, real estate appraisers and other experts to investigate and prove liability and evaluate our clients’ losses.

Call us today for a free consultation.

How Long Do I Have To File A Pajaro River Levee Breach Lawsuit?

Because we are suing Monterey County and maybe other government agencies, you have only 6 months from March 10th to file a timely claim for a monetary recovery.

That means the filing deadline is September 10, 2023. After that date you have no claim. Contact us immediately to preserve your rights.

Pajaro River Levee Breach Lawsuit

We have been holding corporate and public utility defendants accountable for their negligence for over three decades. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients. We have successfully recovered money for countless clients who were the victims of natural disasters such as wildfires and mudslides. We have the experience and expertise necessary to hold the government accountable for your flood-related losses.

Remember, we are local to you. We have an office in Salinas and know all local laws.

If you or a loved one suffered property damage due to the 2023 Pajaro River levee breach, call us today for a free consultation or text us from this page. You can recover monetary compensation for your losses. We do not charge any fee until and unless we first recover money for you.

You only have four months left to file a timely claim.

Call us today at 831-301-0707.

Nadrich & Cohen Accident Injury Lawyers

30 E San Joaquin St, Suite 203-C

Salinas, CA 93901