Westlands Water District Lawsuit

Private landowners of farmlands located in the drainage-impaired areas of the Westlands Water District have filed a lawsuit against the United States for an uncompensated physical taking of their properties for public use.

Landowners are seeking compensation for the diminution in value and loss of use of their property based on the United States’ failure to provide irrigation drainage as promised and as required by law.

Only those landowners who join in this class action at the appropriate time will be able to participate in any financial recovery should the lawsuit be successful.

Prosecution of the class action is being paid for by a special litigation assessment administered by the Westlands Water District on behalf of all drainage-impaired landowners.

Joining the Lawsuit

Attorneys at Beveridge & Diamond and Kershaw Talley Barlow plan to ask the court to approve this lawsuit as a class action. If this lawsuit is certified as a class action and you would like to become part of the Class, you must “opt-in” to the class action. Unlike other class actions in which affected individuals become part of a class unless they “opt-out,” lawsuits like this against the United States require potential class members to take an affirmative step to join.

If certified, the attorneys will provide notice of the lawsuit to all potential class members separately. The notice will include a timeline for joining the class action, as well as any additional informational requirements.

To be a part of this lawsuit, fill out the contact form on this page to ensure the attorneys are able to contact you when the time comes.