The Kincade Fire burned for more than a month and destroyed more than 75,000 acres of vegetation in Sonoma County, CA, in the fall of 2019. Nearly two years later, the public health order is still in effect due to the potential for exposure to toxic chemicals and other hazardous waste.
If you suffered property damage or loss, or if you’re suffering from a medical condition or illness due to the Kincade Fire, you could be entitled to compensation. Many families have not gotten satisfactory help from their insurance companies. Wildfire Law Center is helping families obtain the justice and compensation they deserve through the Kincade Fire lawsuits.
Wildlife Law Center is devoted to helping families who have suffered loss from wildfires obtain the money they need to rebuild their life. We have over 60 years of combined legal experience, and our top-rated and distinguished trial attorneys are waiting to help you. Call now for a free and confidential case evaluation with a California wildfire attorney.
How Can Wildfire Law Center Help With Kincade Fire Lawsuits
Dealing with the aftermath of a wildfire in California is an exhausting process. You’re emotionally drained, and you may have no idea where to start with the overwhelming and confusing process of dealing with insurance companies. You may not even know what coverage you have. We have years of experience handling these complex cases from beginning to end, with outstanding results.
When you hire Wildfire Law Center to handle your case, we’ll:
- Review your insurance policies and determine the full value of your coverage
- Evaluate denied claims and determine the next steps
- Collect documentation necessary to support your claim for damages
- Help you inventory the personal property damaged or destroyed in the fire
- Engage experts who can help us accurately calculate your damages
- Handle all communications and administrative tasks associated with outstanding claims
- Determine deadlines for all personal injury or property damage lawsuits and devise a strategy for recovering the maximum compensation possible in your case
Our California fire damage attorneys have been selected as the Top 100 High Stakes Litigators. There aren’t stakes much higher than your home and your family. We’ve consistently been named to SuperLawyers and BestLawyers, and we have the experience, knowledge, and financial resources to carry your case through to a final settlement or verdict.
That’s right—we front the costs for your case. We know that finances are tight after a wildfire loss, and we don’t want to add to your stress. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you’ll only pay us if and when we recover a financial award on your behalf. So call today to learn more about how we can help. Initial consultations with our California wildfire lawyers are free.
Overview of the Kincade Fire
The Kincade Fire started on October 23, 2019, during an extreme wind event. It prompted the largest evacuation in the history of Sonoma County, forcing 190,000 people from their homes.
Over 370 structures were completely destroyed in the Kincade Fire, and another 60 were damaged. Thankfully, evacuations were productive, and only four injuries were reported. In addition to damage from the fire itself, millions were left without power when PG&E cut power in an effort to prevent additional destruction.
While the cause was not initially known, it later became clear that PG&E transmission lines caused the Kincade fire. PG&E faced numerous misdemeanor and felony charges in connection with its role in starting the Kincade Fire, including environmental crimes and charges related to dangerous smoke emissions from the fire.
In April 2022, PG&E signed a settlement in which it agreed to pay more than $20 million to resolve all criminal and civil claims related to the Kincade Fire. This does not preclude individuals from bringing individual civil lawsuits for damages.
Civil penalties make up $7.5 million of the total. The rest goes to support various non-profit organizations that provide relief to wildfire survivors, fire safety programs, and to reimburse the costs of investigating and prosecuting the case.
This isn’t the first wildfire that PG&E has been responsible for. The 2018 Camp Fire—the deadliest and most destructive in California history—was also caused by PG&E’s ill-maintained equipment.
What Damages Are Recoverable in Kincade Fire Lawsuits?
As in any personal injury lawsuit, the damages are highly specific to your losses. Many people are seeking compensation for property damage or loss, but you may be suffering from illness or injury caused by dangerous materials present long after the fire was contained.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Emotional trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, or depression
- Loss of livestock
- Damage to landscaping and vegetation
- Cost of replacing personal property, such as home furnishings
- Business losses
- Loss of crops
- Decrease in property value
- Loss of timber
- Personal injury
- Wrongful death
Whatever your damages, we work tirelessly to get you a fair value so that you can start to return your life to some level of normalcy.
If you were affected by the Kincade Fire, it’s important to contact a lawyer who has wildfire litigation experience as soon as possible. There is limited time to file a claim or lawsuit, and deadlines may vary depending on the loss you suffered.
Are the Kincade Fire Lawsuits a Class Action?
No. A class action is filed on behalf of a group of plaintiffs who have suffered the same wrong caused by the defendant. The Kincade Fire lawsuits are filed on an individual basis. Everyone’s case is a little different, so each lawsuit will be specific to the damage suffered by each person who files a case.
Get Help With Kincade Fire Lawsuits from Wildfire Law Center
Did the Kincade fire damage or destroy your home or business? Do you need help fighting the insurance companies for the coverage you paid for? Wildfire Law Center represents homeowners, renters, and business owners whose lives have been devastated by wildfire.
We are currently helping families in Sonoma County, CA, recover compensation in Kincade Fire lawsuits. Time is limited to file a claim. Call us today for a free consultation with a California wildfire attorney.