Did you suffer injury or property damage in a house fire? Did a wildfire cause your house fire? You are not alone. A house fire lawyer at Wildfire Law Center can help you explore your legal rights and options. We know how wildfires can turn your world upside down, destroying some of your most important possessions.
We are a plaintiff’s firm that focuses 100% of our practice on helping victims of wildfires. Our team of attorneys has 60 years of combined experience in personal injury and property damage law. Let us use that experience to help get you the compensation you deserve after a house fire.
Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation. You can fill out our contact form or call us at (619) 566-6464 to arrange your case review with an experienced house Fire attorney.
How Wildfire Law Center Can Help With a house Fire Claim
You may have experienced devastating losses after a house fire. When you’ve suffered an injury or damage to your house, it can be hard to know where to turn — and who’s responsible for paying your damages. Your home insurance will do its best to deflect liability.
You deserve an experienced California wildfire lawyer to help you navigate your case. Our fire damage lawyers at Wildfire Law Center can help you stand up for your rights and get the compensation you deserve.
When You hire us, we will:
- Handle all aspects of your case, from claim filings to court paperwork
- Review relevant insurance policies to see if your insurer is liable for your damages
- Gather evidence of your losses and calculate the value of your claim
- Follow investigations into the fire to determine whether a third party might also share responsibility for your claim
- Manage all communications and correspondence with your insurer and other parties
- Take your case to trial to get what’s fair
Contact our law firm today to schedule your free consultation with a California wildfire attorney.
What Causes House Fires?
Many house fires in California are casualties of larger wildfires that have spread in the area. Wildfires are common in the state and have increased in recent years.
Often, wildfires are caused by the negligence of utility companies, such as gas and electric companies. Equipment such as power lines and circuit breakers fail and ignite a blaze that transforms into a wildfire. The utility companies may neglect to de-energize their equipment during high wind events that cause downed lines or contact with tree branches.
Unfortunately, these utility companies typically deflect responsibility for the wildfire. They often claim it was an act of God or the result of unforeseeable weather conditions.
Who is Liable for My House Fire?
As stated above, a utility company may be liable for your house fire if it was part of a larger wildfire in the region.
The following three utility companies have been investigated or found at fault for several recent California wildfires:
- Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) – linked to or potentially responsible for the Dixie Fire, Camp Fire, Kincade Fire, Redwood Complex fire, Zogg Fire.
- Southern California Edison (SCE) – linked to or potentially responsible for the Silverado Fire, Woolsey Fire, Maria Fire, Thomas Fire, Bobcat Fire, Coastal Fire.
- Liberty Utilities – possibly linked to the Mountain View Fire.
Alternatively, victims’ homeowners’ insurance might be responsible for covering their damages. However, insurers are notorious for denying or undervaluing fire damage claims, even when the claim is covered by the policy. Therefore, you should consult a house Fire lawyer to help review your policy and file a strong, evidence-based claim.
Contact Wildfire Law Center to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. Our attorneys can help you identify the liable parties in your case.
Common Injuries and Losses Following House Fires
House fires can result in severe injuries and serious losses, especially if the house collapses during or after the fire.
The most common injuries and losses after a house fire are:
Personal Injury
- Burns
- Aggravation of asthma and lung disease
- Severe coughing, wheezing, and respiratory issues
- Irritation in the eyes, nose, and throat
- Emotional distress and anxiety
- PTSD
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Homelessness
- Death
Home damage and destruction
- Structural damage
- Smoke damage
- Plumbing damage
- Electrical damage
- Water damage
- Roof collapse
- Tree and landscaping loss
- Business loss
- Destruction of personal property/valuable possessions
To be sure, house fires can result in other damages than those listed above. You can recover compensation for each of them if another party is liable for your house fire.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Wildfire?
You can pursue compensation for any identifiable loss caused by a house fire. These damages may include but are not limited to:
- Property loss – damage or destruction to your home, structures, and personal property.
- Loss of Business – Suppose you operate a business from home. You may be able to recover compensation for the loss of your physical assets as well as profits related to the house fire.
- Personal Injury – You can always seek compensation for injuries you suffered during a wildfire. These damages might include medical bills and lost wages related to your recovery. They might also include non-economic damages for your pain and suffering.
- Wrongful Death – Some fires result in fatal injuries. Surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for their loss of support and companionship after a loved one’s death.
The best way to determine what damages are available in your wildfire case is to consult an experienced fire lawyer.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our House Fire Attorneys
If you were injured or suffered losses in a house fire, it’s time to act. The Wildfire Law Center is ready to explain your rights. We’ll help you explore all avenues for recovering compensation. Our goal is to help you move forward.
Contact us today to get more than six decades of experience behind your case. Our house fire attorneys are standing by to take your call.