Peterson Law Group Blog
What Constitutes “Dangerous Public Property” in California Injury Lawsuits?
If you were injured on public property in California such as a park, on a sidewalk, or near a roadway, you may have the right to seek compensation. But proving a “dangerous condition” existed isn’t easy. California law sets a high bar for liability when injuries occur on property owned or controlled by public entities.
Eminent Domain and the California High-Speed Rail: What Property Owners Need to Know in 2025
The California High-Speed Rail project is one of the most ambitious infrastructure undertakings in state history—but for many property owners along the route, it’s also a source of confusion, stress, and legal battles.
If you own residential, agricultural, or commercial property anywhere near the planned or existing route—especially between Bakersfield and Merced—you may already be facing eminent domain actions or notices of intent from the state.
How to Protect Your Business Property From Government Takings in California
If you’re a business owner in California, your property isn’t just a place—it’s a core asset that supports your livelihood. But what happens when the government decides to take that property for a public project?
Whether it’s for a highway expansion, utility infrastructure, or urban redevelopment, government taking of business property in California is a real and pressing threat that can have long-term consequences for your operations.
The Rise of Urban Development Disputes: LA Landowners and Litigation Hotspots
As LA continues its aggressive push for urban renewal, rezoning, and high-density construction, a growing number of Los Angeles land use disputes are emerging between developers, homeowners, and commercial property owners.
For many longtime landowners, redevelopment means more than cranes and concrete. It could mean losing control over how their property is used, enduring disruptive construction, and facing direct legal challenges from city planning agencies or private developers.
Can California Property Owners Challenge Public Use in Eminent Domain Cases?
Eminent domain gives the government the power to take private property for public use, provided the owner receives just compensation. While this principle is embedded in the U.S. and California Constitutions, the definition of public use has broadened over time—and not always in ways that protect the property owner.
CEQA Reforms and Their Impact on Property Development in California
In California, land use and development are deeply intertwined with environmental oversight. For decades, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) has served as a gatekeeper for new development, requiring environmental review before projects can proceed.
Hidden Hazards: The Risks of Neglected Public Stairways in Los Angeles
In a city as hilly and sprawling as Los Angeles, are essential corridors for many pedestrians. Neighborhoods like Silver Lake and Echo Park rely heavily on these staircases for foot traffic, daily commutes, and community access.
Inverse Condemnation: California Courts Hold Utilities Liable for Wildfire Damages
California has endured a relentless onslaught of wildfires in recent years, devastating homes, displacing communities, and causing billions in property losses. Investigations have repeatedly pointed to utility companies as the origin of some of the most destructive blazes.
20 Years After Kelo v. City of New London: What California Property Owners Need to Know
Two decades ago, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered one of the most controversial property rights decisions in American history: Kelo v. City of New London (2005). The ruling upheld the government’s ability to seize private property for economic development projects led by private developers. The court justified the decision by classifying a private development project as “public use.”
Landslide Liability: Legal Options for California Property Owners
In the wake of devastating wildfires in places like Altadena and Pacific Palisades, many California homeowners now face a secondary, equally destructive threat: landslides and mudslides. With hillsides stripped of vegetation, heavy rains can trigger catastrophic slope failures that damage homes, roads, and infrastructure.
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