Farmers Insurance filed nine class action suits against nearly 200 communities in the Chicago area, saying that local governments should have prepared for rising global temperatures that have led to heavier rains and flooding.
The suits charge that the municipalities did not do enough to fortify their sewers and stormwater drains, causing the insurance company to pay out claims that could have been averted.
While legal observers say the chances of Farmers winning the cases are slim, there may be another motive behind the strategy: insurance companies want to push cities to invest in prevention as a way to avoid future lawsuits.
The Farmers’ cases raise the question of how city governments should allocate funds in preparation for natural disasters.
Michael Gerrard, director of the Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School in New York, told Reuters that he expects more lawsuits of this type. If disasters happen more frequently, it’s possible that cities would bear more legal responsibility to prepare for them, he indicated.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Apr 7, 2020
Dept. of Labor publishes guidance on paid sick leave, expanded family and medical leave
Includes fact sheets for employees, employers, and a questions and answers document.
Codes and Standards | Apr 1, 2020
Standards and codes meetings halted, postponed
ASTM International cancels in-person standards meetings; DOE’s National Energy Codes Conference postponed.
Codes and Standards | Mar 26, 2020
Ransomware attack on Canadian contractor underscores need for cybersecurity
Victimized company Bird Construction has defense, law enforcement contracts.
Codes and Standards | Mar 23, 2020
Contractors should scrutinize contracts carefully amid Covid-19 crisis
Compliance with time-sensitive notice requirements and careful documentation required.
Codes and Standards | Mar 23, 2020
Florida legislature passes bill to reduce retainage on state and local projects
House and Senate vote is nearly unanimous; law would go into effect Oct. 1.
Codes and Standards | Mar 20, 2020
Feds prod use of eminent domain to force people out of flood-prone homes
Local officials that don’t comply could lose federal money to combat climate change.
Codes and Standards | Mar 19, 2020
ASHRAE provides COVID-19 resources for operating, maintaining HVAC systems
Includes recently approved position document on Airborne Infectious Diseases.
Codes and Standards | Mar 19, 2020
CaGBC launches new version of its Zero Carbon Building Standard
Version 2 draws on lessons from more than 20 zero carbon projects.
Codes and Standards | Mar 16, 2020
Concrete industry reduces carbon footprint by 13% over five years
Result mostly due to more efficient use of Portland cement.
Resiliency | Mar 13, 2020
Feds push use of eminent domain to force people out of flood-prone homes
Local officials that don’t comply could lose federal money to combat climate change.