When raw sewage floods a property, cleanup costs and health risks can pile up fast. Our sewer damage lawyers help recover expenses and hold the right parties responsible
For over 24 years, our firm has assisted homeowners and businesses with sewer damage claims, utilizing our expertise and resources to get the justice you deserve.
With more than $2 billion recovered, our firm helps ease the financial burden for clients facing sewage backups, property damage, and more.
A sewer system failure lawsuit can leave families with unsafe homes or force businesses to close. These cases are complex and often turn into difficult battles over responsibility and recovery.
Sewage floods basements or bathrooms, leaving homes unsafe.
Sewage contamination forces businesses to close and repair.
Insurers resist paying for costly cleanup and restoration.
Overflow spreads beyond one property, creating legal conflict.
City sewer breakdowns cause damage to private property.
Contact with raw sewage can lead to serious illness.
Ready to get legal help for sewage overflow? Start your free case review today!
From the first call to the final verdict, our clients share how we stood by them and delivered results when it mattered most.
I could not be happier that I was able to find Alexander Shunnarah’s firm. They provided me with quality service and they communicated with me every step of the way. They are very prompt and professional and they actually specialize in car accidents and personal injury, so that was a relief. Thank you so much for your service and for getting my case handled.
Udo R.
Alexander Shunnarah was very knowledgeable and showed me compassion in my time of need. The information they provided me was accurate and helpful, I would use Alexander Shunnarah again if necessary. Thank you for all your help concerning my case.
Jennifer F.
Outstanding services, quality work and great company to deal with. I walked in and felt like it was a family environment. You can tell every one genuinely cares. Outstanding firm and service definitely a 5 star quality company.
Drew F.
Every trial attorney on our team is trained to fight aggressively for your rights. Here’s how our team will help, throughout the legal process.
Free Case Review
We’ll review your claim and explain the best legal options available.
claim investigation
Our team gathers evidence and builds a strong case from the start.
expert Negotiation
We deal directly with insurers to secure the maximum recovery possible.
Court Representation
If a fair settlement isn’t possible, we’re ready to fight for you at trial.
No-Win, No-Fee
We guarantee that you don’t pay us unless we win your case.
When sewage floods a property, owners are left wondering what costs might be covered and whether legal action is necessary. These answers explain the most common concerns and how attorneys approach them.
If your insurer denies coverage, our attorneys can step in to review the fine print of your policy and determine whether the refusal is justified. Many denials happen because the company classifies the damage as maintenance rather than sudden failure. We know how to challenge these interpretations. Our firm also works with cleanup professionals who can document why the work was necessary and what it truly costs. If your insurer still won’t pay, our lawyers can escalate the claim through formal dispute processes or take it to court.
These lawsuits usually cover more than just pumping out water. Homeowners and businesses often need repairs to walls, floors, and foundations that were soaked with sewage. Damaged furniture and flooring, as well as personal items, may also need to be replaced. Claims can include mold cleanup or medical bills if anyone got sick from exposure. Our firm works to document each of these losses and fight for compensation that covers the expenses needed to make the property safe again.
Yes! Our firm represents both homeowners and businesses, and each type of claim has its own challenges. For homeowners, sewage backups can make parts of the house unsafe and unlivable, leaving families displaced until cleanup is finished. For businesses, even a short closure can lead to lost income and customers, in addition to expensive repair bills. Because insurers often handle these claims differently, we make sure both homeowners and business owners receive fair consideration and the compensation needed to recover.
The first priority is safety. Raw sewage can contain harmful bacteria and viruses, so avoid direct contact and keep others away. If it’s safe to do so, document the damage with photos or video before leaving the affected area. Notify your insurance company as soon as possible, but don’t agree to inspections, estimates, quick settlements, or anything else until you’ve spoken with our lawyers. We can guide you through the process and bring in qualified cleanup and repair specialists to make sure that every cost is properly included in your claim. Taking the right steps early can make a major difference in the outcome of your case.
You can, but lawsuits against cities and utilities are often more complicated than those against private insurers. These agencies sometimes have legal protections or special notice requirements that make the process difficult to navigate on your own. Our attorneys investigate maintenance records and inspection logs, as well as past complaints to see if the utility failed to keep its system safe. If we can show negligence, we build a case to hold the city or utility responsible and pursue compensation for the damage to your property. Having legal representation is especially important in these cases because deadlines and procedures are stricter when public entities are involved.
The first step is reviewing the exact language of your policy, since coverage for sewer backups is often limited or buried in exclusions. From there, our attorneys work with engineers and cleanup professionals to determine how the backup started, how far the contamination spread, and even why the event should count as sudden and accidental rather than routine maintenance. By linking the technical evidence to the policy terms, we can push back against common insurer arguments and build a strong case for coverage. This process not only strengthens your claim but also helps prevent the insurer from minimizing the extent of the damage.
Health risks of raw sewage exposure in homes and businesses are drawing more attention in recent legal cases. Staying up to date helps property owners see how outcomes in court could affect their own claims.