Most of the time, accidents in California happen because someone wasn’t being careful. But every once in a while, there will be a so-called “Act of God” that leaves you facing losses and other damage that you have to deal with. Understanding your options in this situation is crucial, and our California personal injury lawyers at Maison Law will be there to help. Set up a free consultation today.
What is an Act of God?
In a California personal injury case, an “Act of God” is:
- A natural event that hits so suddenly and with such force that no amount of reasonable care could have prevented the injuries or damage.
Insurance companies love to use this as a defense when there’s property damage, arguing that the natural event was truly the only cause of the harm. With that, the property owner, driver, or business may not be legally responsible for what happened. But this doesn’t always work. If someone’s negligence made the situation worse—or failed to make it safer—the “Act of God” defense may not protect them. And that’s where our team can help you sort out what’s what.
What Are Some Examples of Acts of God in California?
Because of California’s geography and climate, most “Act of God” events relate to the state’s natural hazards, like:
- Earthquakes throughout the state, especially near major fault lines
- Wildfires driven by high winds in areas like the Sierra foothills, SoCal canyons, or wine country
- Mudslides and debris flows after major storms
- Flash floods in burn-scar areas or drought-stricken regions
- Strong windstorms that can knock down trees and power lines
Most of the time, nobody is legally at fault for these natural events themselves. But sometimes human decisions make things far more dangerous than they needed to be.
When Can I File a Claim After Damage From an Act of God in California?
You can’t sue nature—but you can file a claim if:
- A property owner didn’t maintain trees, even though they knew they could fall during high winds
- A landlord failed to keep a building earthquake-safe or didn’t follow local safety codes
- A construction company didn’t follow proper slope-stabilization practices, leading to a mudslide
- A city or county failed to maintain drainage systems, causing unnecessary flooding
- Utility companies didn’t properly maintain equipment, worsening fire or storm risks
In these cases, the natural disaster may have been the trigger—but human negligence was part of the problem.
How Can a California Personal Injury Lawyer Help?
After a major natural event, you’re already dealing with enough stress. Sorting out whether someone is responsible, gathering evidence, and handling insurance pushback can be overwhelming. That’s when our California personal injury lawyers at Maison Law can step in and help by:
- Investigating what actually caused the damage or injuries
- Determining whether someone’s negligence made the situation worse
- Gathering expert opinions, reports, and documentation
- Communicating with insurance companies so you’re not pressured or blamed
- Building a claim that reflects the full impact on your health, home, and life
You should be focused on recovering—not handling legal questions or fighting with insurance adjusters. We help make the process clearer, more manageable, and fairer. If you’re unsure whether the damage was caused by the disaster alone or whether someone’s negligence played a role, reach out for a free consultation. We’ll answer your questions and explain things in a way that’s easy to understand.
