If you’ve suffered landscape losses due to a wildfire in California, you might have a case to obtain compensation for your out-of-pocket expenses, repair costs, decreased earning capacity, and more. The experienced attorneys with the Wildfire Law Center are here to help.
We’ve dedicated our law practice to helping people recover from harm caused by wildfires. Our California wildfire lawyers have over 60 years of combined experience practicing law. We’re ready to put that experience in your corner today.
To get started with forming an attorney-client relationship, call 619-566-6464 or reach out to us online. Our law firm offers a free initial consultation to go over your case.
How the Wildfire Law Center Can Help If You’ve Experienced Landscape Losses Due to a Fire
A wildfire can leave you and your loved ones in an incredibly difficult position. Depending on the nature of the damage, your entire livelihood could be in jeopardy. If you were physically close to the fire at the time, you might also be suffering from a wildfire-caused injury or illness. You might have an insurance policy in place to cover such an event, but insurance adjusters are trained to minimize the value of the claims that are put before them.
You’ll need an advocate in your corner to represent your rights and interests through this trying time. That’s what the Wildfire Law Center can do for you. We’re passionate, fearless attorneys who will stand up for you regardless of who is on the other side of the case. When you hire us to represent you, we can help by:
- Conducting an internal investigation into the cause and extent of your damages
- Handling all negotiations and communications with the other party on your behalf
- Keeping you apprised of your legal options as your case proceeds
- Filing a lawsuit and bringing your case to court if the circumstances call for it
Contact our law office today to set up your free case evaluation. Our experienced wildfire attorneys in California are standing by to assist.
Landscape Loss Caused by California Wildfires
Damage caused by wildfires, including landscape loss, has increased substantially in recent decades. While the number of ignitions has actually decreased from 1991 to 2020, the average area covered by wildfires has increased by 192,000 acres in that same time period. More wildfire ignitions take place in eastern states than in western states, but western fires are generally much larger and more devastating.
Wildfires in recent years have caused significant harm to structures and homes. In 2020, nearly 18,000 structures were burned during a wildfire, including almost 10,000 homes. The number of residential homes and structures in the western United States is growing significantly, which means more and more structures could be in the path of a wildfire. Indeed, most of California’s most serious wildfires in terms of destroyed structures have occurred in just the past eight years.
The harm wildfires cause goes far beyond structures, unfortunately. Landscape losses also include harm to agricultural lands, such as crops and pastures. If the wildfire is serious enough, it can cause damage not just to surface-level lands but also to the viability of the underlying soil. This harm can take significant time to recover. And if the land was soon-to-be-harvested, private individuals and businesses could face substantial economic losses.
Landscape loss also includes damage to residential trees, gardens, yards, and more. Certain agricultural and other equipment can also be irreparably damaged. Damage to tree cover and the surrounding areas can also result in downstream effects on a piece of property, thereby causing “indirect” landscape losses.
In many cases, the effects of a wildfire can impact a property owner for generations, if not permanently.
Who Could Be Liable for My Landscape Losses in California?
Some wildfires are started intentionally, such as those caused by arson or a controlled burn. Others occur by accident, like when a power line collapses and catches on fire. And yet still, others simply occur naturally.
Because these causes are so varied, so are the potentially liable parties. In some wildfire lawsuit cases, you might have a case for compensation against the utility company that is responsible for the upkeep of the downed powerline.
In the case of arson, you might have a case against the person who started the fire. If your landscape losses were due to a controlled burn that went wrong, it’s possible you have a case against the governmental agency in charge of the blaze.
In most instances, there is a liable party to collect compensation from. Our attorneys will launch a thorough investigation into your case to determine your best course of action. Reach out today for legal advice.
What Kinds of Damages Can I Claim in a Wildfire Lawsuit?
Depending on the facts of your case, you can aim to collect economic damages, non-economic damages, and in some cases, punitive damages.
Economic damages reflect the financial aspects of your landscape losses, such as property damage, business losses, decreased earning capacity, repair bills, and out-of-pocket expenses.
Non-economic damages may be available in some landscape loss cases; they represent the other consequences of the wildfire, such as your pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and emotional distress.
Punitive damages are reserved for cases where the defendant acted recklessly or maliciously; for example, an arson case could warrant punitive damages depending on the circumstances.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced California Wildfire Attorney
Landscape losses caused by a wildfire can severely impact your property and livelihood. It’s important for your future that you hold the at-fault party accountable for the harm they’ve caused; the compensation you might receive could be substantial enough to make you whole again.
The Wildfire Law Center can help you every step of the way. Reach out to our experienced wildfire lawyers today for a free consultation. Our California wildfire attorneys are standing by.