L.A. Agrees to Pay $21 Million After Police “Detonate” an Entire Neighborhood
It is not every day that the Los Angeles Police Department blows up an entire neighborhood. However, this is exactly what a group of plaintiffs claim to have experienced after the local police attempted to safely detonate a cache of fireworks. The planned detonation went wrong in spectacular fashion, causing numerous injuries and widespread property damage. If you were injured in this incident, our team of Riverside personal injury lawyers can provide the guidance you need. What can you do if you were injured by the Los Angeles Police Department? It’s important to consult with either a personal injury or a premises liability attorney to understand your legal options properly. Additionally, consider reaching out to a California personal injury law firm for specialized assistance in pursuing your claim.
LAPD Bomb Squad Accused of “Bungling” Firework Detonation
In June of 2024, the Los Angeles Times reported that the City of Los Angeles had agreed to pay out more than $21 million to settle one of the most notable personal injury lawsuits it has ever seen. The lawsuit stems from a “bungled detonation” carried out by the LAPD Bomb Squad – one that caused 17 injuries and widespread property damage across an entire South L.A. neighborhood. A dozen residents agreed to settle, which means that others might still be pursuing trials and negotiations.
While some of the residents received settlements solely for property damage, others received compensation for their various injuries. Some are still living out of hotels because of the damage that their homes have sustained in the blast.
The incident occurred in 2021, and it began when the authorities discovered a “cache” of fireworks in a backyard. Instead of removing the fireworks, the Bomb Squad decided to detonate them in the middle of the neighborhood. Evidently, the authorities were convinced that they could carry out this detonation safely.
They were wrong. Various members of the Bomb Squad have been accused of “grossly underestimating” the firepower of the fireworks and the net weight of the explosive powder. The plan involved loading the fireworks into a “containment vessel” – a canister designed to withstand the explosion without any outer effects. However, the Bomb Squad seems to have miscalculated its maximum capability. The blast overturned at least one car and shattered windows in a wide radius. Three people reportedly suffered “moderate injuries,” while the other 14 suffered minor injuries.
Despite clear evidence that this entire debacle was caused by the LAPD Bomb Squad, there has been very little transparency regarding punitive measures. No one knows what kinds of punishments the explosive technicians faced. However, the person responsible for collecting the illegal fireworks spent five months in prison. This story is far from over, and this settlement might only mark the beginning of accountability for the City of Los Angeles.
Find an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in Los Angeles
If you have been searching for an experienced personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles, look no further than The Knez Law Group, LLP personal injury law firm. We know that numerous negligent parties may be responsible for your injuries in Los Angeles – including government agencies. Whether you were injured by a USPS truck, a public utility vehicle, or the local police, you have important rights in California. Reach out today by calling us at 951-742-7681 or schedule a consultation and learn more about how you can fight for these rights.
For over forty-three years, Fred Knez has been representing individuals and corporations in serious personal injury and business litigation, both as a plaintiff and defendant. Following his service in the Army during the Vietnam War as a medic and medical laboratory technician, Fred attended the University of Colorado. He then worked as an insurance adjuster for Allstate Insurance and as a private investigator before graduating from law school. Fred was admitted to practice law in California in 1980, the U.S. District Court in 1981, the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in 1983, and the U.S. Supreme Court in 1984. Learn more here.