Landslide

[debbiestew]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Washington. My neighbor behind us took out 4 or 5 trucks loads of big, mature trees, built a house and a huge a
garden. But now with nowhere for the water to go as the trees used about 200 gallons a day not to mention the water they stored, It has perked and has caused a landslide on my property. I called the county and no permit was required. What can we do?

 

[tranquility]

A good case to look at is Jackson v. City of Seattle,244 P.3d 425 (2010) [http://caselaw.findlaw.com/wa-court-of-appeals/1545795.html] for the law on such matters.

You will have to prove negligence and that, for landslides, is probably going to need an expert. If you think the neighbor was negligent in some way, you need to see an attorney as there is little chance you could do this on your own.

 

[FarmerJ]

Re check your city / county ords to learn if there is any thing written that says that when one land owner makes changes that they cannot do things that will force water to drain to another property or where they have to take reasonable steps to redirect drainage in another way.

 

[HomeGuru]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Washington. My neighbor behind us took out 4 or 5 trucks loads of big, mature trees, built a house and a huge a
garden. But now with nowhere for the water to go as the trees used about 200 gallons a day not to mention the water they stored, It has perked and has caused a landslide on my property. I called the county and no permit was required. What can we do?

**A: file a complaint with the county building department, hire an engineer to inspect and provide you a report on the damage and plans to mitigate the problem. Notify your insurance carrier. What did the neighbor tell you when you talked to him about the landslide?