Losing your home to a wildfire in California caused by a company’s negligent actions leaves people feeling heartbroken, overwhelmed, and angry.
Wildfires wreak havoc in local communities, destroying businesses, homes, and lives. The aftermath of such disasters significantly damages a person's life and well-being.
Working with a committed disaster recovery litigation lawyer after a wildfire damages or destroys your home will alleviate the physical and emotional frustrating challenges you face. A dedicated California wildfire attorney will safeguard your rights and enhance your opportunity to obtain compensation for all the damages your home sustained due to the wildfire.
Contact our trusted team of lawyers today at Bernheim Law Firm at (310) 975-4728 to schedule your free evaluation.
Common Causes of Wildfires in California
Wildfires leave behind destruction and despair in the communities they affect, often damaging or destroying a person's home.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) identifies common causes of wildfires in California as
- Arson
- Debris and open burning
- Equipment fires, commonly caused by a company’s catalytic converter, electrical equipment, or powertrain
- Misuse of fire by a minor
- Railroad operations and maintenance issues
- Recreation and ceremony, including barbeques, gender reveals, and campfires
- Smoking
- Vehicle issues
Additional causes and contributing factors of wildfires in California include
- Poorly maintained power lines by electrical providers
- Lightning
- Climate change
Contact our team at Bernheim Law Firm today if a wildfire caused by a company’s negligence damaged or destroyed your home.
Common Wildfire Damages to Homeowners
Wildfires cause significant damage to homes, sometimes destroying them.
Common types of damages homeowners experience because of wildfires include
- Property damage - Wildfires cause physical property damage to homes, including damage to the structure, landscaping, furniture, appliances, vehicles, and other physical assets.
- Loss of income - Businesses are equally susceptible to wildfire damages, harming the local community's ability to work. Many people suffer from a loss of income during and after a wildfire as businesses close and potentially try to recover from wildfire damages themselves.
- Evacuation - Evacuating a wildfire area is a stressful event. People leave not knowing if their homes will be standing when they return, and in some terrifying scenarios, they risk being trapped by the wildfires while they are attempting to evacuate.
- Relocation - When a wildfire damages a residential community, people need to relocate and find a new place to live. The costs of renting a temporary residence often increase as a surge of demand on local rental properties hinders rental unit availability.
- Personal injuries - People often suffer injuries, burns, or smoke inhalation when trying to protect their property from a wildfire or during their evacuation.
- Loss of pets or livestock - Unfortunately, animals do not always make it safely out of a wildfire's path. Homeowners often suffer losses of both pets and livestock during a treacherous wildfire.
- Emotional suffering - Many people suffer from post-traumatic stress after living through the terrifying experience of escaping a wildfire and then returning to see the destruction it caused.
Contact our trusted team at Bernheim Law Firm today to schedule your free case evaluation if a wildfire damages your home. Let us help you get the justice and care you deserve after suffering losses from a wildfire caused by a negligent company.
What Compensation Can I Seek After a Wildfire?
Wildfires destroy everything in their path, including homes and personal property. Homeowners often suffer significant damage from wildfires.
You can recover compensation if a wildfire damages or destroys your home.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) identifies eligible Lost Wages Compensation for individuals whose lives were harmed by a wildfire, including
- Damage or closure to your workplace that prevents you from working
- Being laid off by your employer as a direct result of an evacuation or closure of their business because of the fire
- Inability to physically get to work because of fire damage, road closures, loss of transportation, or evacuations
- Being injured as a result of the wildfire events and being unable to work
Working with a skilled and assertive disaster recovery litigation lawyer will help you recover compensation for the additional damages caused by the wildfire outside of FEMA’s eligible items, including
- Physical pain and suffering caused by the fire
- Emotional distress
- Medical treatments, both physical and emotional
- Property damage
- Loss of pets or livestock
- Reimbursement for cleanup costs after the wildfire
- Evacuation and relocation costs
- Increased living expenses
- Punitive damages
- Wrongful death
Contact our compassionate and diligent team of disaster recovery litigation lawyers today at Berheim Law Firm to schedule your free case evaluation. Let us help you attain the just compensation you deserve after a wildfire started by a negligent company damages your life and your home.
Wildfires in California
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) reports that 7,386 wildland fires burned in California in one recent year, destroying more than 330,000 acres of land.
A recent report published by the Auditor of the State of California identified utility companies as the cause of two of the ten largest wildfires in California from 1932 through 2021. The Thomas Fire in December 2017 burned 282,000 acres of land. The Dixie Fire in July 2021 destroyed 963,000 acres of land, making it the second-largest fire during that time.
Wildfires caused by electrical providers account for an estimated 19 percent of the total acreage burned in recent years, according to data compiled by CAL FIRE.
UC Santa Barbara’s emLab reports that California wildfires caused an estimated $5 billion in structural losses in one recent year.
What Do I Do After a Wildfire Damages My Home?
Homeowners often feel frustrated, heartbroken, and overwhelmed after a wildfire started by a negligent company damages or destroys their property.
They are often unsure what steps to take to seek justice for their losses.
It is imperative to take the proper steps after a wildfire damages or destroys your home to protect your rights and maximize your chances of recovering full compensation for your damages.
Maintain Documentation
Maintain a detailed list of documentation for all items associated with the wildfire damage, including
- A journal detailing what you recall from the wildfire, including preparations made, evacuation details, and any pain and suffering that has resulted
- Photographs and videos of the damage
- Documentation detailing property damages and other losses
- Doctors’ notes and medical treatment plans, if applicable
- A list tracking all expenses you incur from the wildfire, including any medical expenses, property damage, lost income, evacuation costs, and relocation costs
Seek and Follow Medical Advice
Seek professional medical treatment immediately after the wildfire if you suffered any physical injuries or emotional distress from the event and evacuation.
Follow all medical advice and treatment plans provided by your medical team.
Do Not Accept Any Initial Offers
When a corporation’s negligence causes a wildfire, it will often try to settle any potential damages as soon as possible.
Do not accept any settlement offers.
Doing so could put you at a legal and financial disadvantage.
Work With an Attorney
Contact an experienced disaster recovery litigation lawyer as soon as possible after a wildfire damages or destroys your home to make sure you meet California’s statute of limitations for your case.
Working with a trusted and compassionate disaster recovery litigation lawyer will help protect your rights and maximize your chances of recovering total compensation for the devastating damages the wildfire caused to your life and property.
Contact our experienced team of attorneys today at Bernheim Law Firm to schedule your free case evaluation.
Working With Bernheim Law Firm After a Wildfire in California
Wildfires wreak mass destruction across any land they touch. Homes and personal properties in California are a common casualty of wildfires caused by a company’s negligence.
At Bernheim Law Firm, we know how devastating a loss a person’s loss suffers when a wildfire caused by a negligent company causes damage and destruction. Our team strives to hold all negligent corporations responsible for the damage they caused by starting a wildfire in California.
We work tirelessly to deliver favorable settlements to our clients through our assertive legal measures, exceeding their expectations of simply recovering eligible insurance benefits.
Our team has successfully recovered millions of dollars in settlements for our clients, including
- $20,000,000 against an insurance company
- $18,000,000 against an insurance company
- $14,500,000 against an insurance company
- $10,100,000 against an insurance company
- $6,000,000 against an electric utility company
- $4,400,000 against an electric utility company
Our clients often leave us positive reviews expressing gratitude for our dedicated assistance with their cases.
Angelo appreciated how our team looked after his best interests throughout his case.
A local homeowner's association was grateful for how consistently our firm prioritized their needs. We made their association's case a priority and delivered positive results above their expectations.
Contact us today at Bernheim Law Firm to schedule your free case evaluation with one of our experienced team members. Let us help you get the justice and compensation you deserve after a negligent corporation started a wildfire that damaged your home.
Can You File a Lawsuit if a Wildfire Damages Your Home?
Wildfires devastate and destroy the land and the communities they touch. The aftermath of these disasters is particularly overwhelming for homeowners, especially when a negligent company starts a wildfire.
When a company behaves negligently, and its actions result in a wildfire in your area, you can file a lawsuit against that company to recover compensation for the damages caused to your home and your life.
It is vital to seek professional legal help when your home is damaged or destroyed by a wildfire that a negligent corporation started.
A diligent disaster recovery litigation lawyer will take the proper course of action to protect your rights and maximize your chances of recovering total compensation for all of the damages you and your home suffered from the wildfire.
Your skilled lawyer will navigate the complexities of liability laws and establish a clear connection between the negligent corporation's actions that started the wildfire and the damage they caused to your home and well-being.
They will assess the full extent of your damages and help you pursue fair compensation for all of your damages. Your trusted legal team will evaluate all avenues of compensation recovery, including filing a wildfire lawsuit on your behalf.
Filing a Lawsuit for Wildfire Damages to Your Home
Your disaster recovery litigation lawyer will pursue legal action on your behalf when a company’s negligence results in a wildfire damaging or destroying your home.
Your experienced legal team will take care of every aspect of the lawsuit for you, from initiating legal action to managing all communication with third parties and negotiating any settlement offers. They will keep you informed at every stage of the process and address any questions or concerns you may have about your case.
Your dedicated disaster recovery litigation lawyers will fight for your rights to make sure you receive compensation for all damages caused by the negligently started wildfires.
Filing an Insurance Claim
Filing an insurance claim after surviving a wildfire leaves most homeowners feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and frustrated.
Insurance companies commonly attempt to delay the claim process and even use the claimant's words and statements against them during settlement in an attempt to minimize or eliminate the compensation they must pay to the claimant. Having the help of a skilled and knowledgeable disaster recovery litigation lawyer will protect you from the insurance company's tactics.
Your legal team will handle the entirety of the insurance claim process for you, including filing the initial claim, managing all correspondence with the insurance company, accepting and negotiating the settlement offer, and filing a lawsuit if necessary. They will diligently prove that the fault of your case lies with the negligent company that started the wildfire.
A trusted and diligent lawyer will keep you updated throughout your claim process, promptly and clearly answer any questions, and address any concerns you have.
Working with a reliable attorney will put you on the best path forward to recovering maximum compensation for the damages caused to your home and property by the wildfire. They will advocate on your behalf to make sure all damages you and your home suffered are included in your insurance settlement.
Seeking Government Reimbursement
Your trusted lawyer will advise you on any government-funded opportunities to seek reimbursement for the damages caused to you and your home by the wildfires.
Available options may include California’s Office of Emergency Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Work With a Reliable Disaster Recovery Litigation Lawyer
Wildfires leave homeowners feeling heartbroken and distraught at the loss or damage caused to their properties and well-being. Many people become infuriated upon learning that a negligent company started the wildfire that damaged or destroyed their homes.
Having the help of a reliable disaster recovery litigation lawyer will help you attain justice for the damages you suffered from a company’s negligent behavior. Your trusted lawyer will protect your rights during these challenging and hurtful times while maximizing your opportunities to recover compensation for all of the damages caused by the wildfire.
Call our team at Bernheim Law Firm today at (310) 975-4728 to schedule your free case evaluation. Our office is conveniently located in Altadena near El Prieto Canyon.