The Maria Fire, which began in October 2019, started burning in Ventura County at the top of the South Mountain. Within a few hours, despite the efforts of first responders, the fire had destroyed over 4000 acres. It was helped along by the Santa Ana winds blowing over 30 miles per hour.
With over 7500 residents forced to leave their homes, victims of the Maria Fire have been filing lawsuits for personal injuries, property damage, wrongful death, loss of businesses, and other legal damages.
If you’re a victim of the Maria Fire, Contact our personal injury lawyers at Wildfire Law Center can help.
How Can the Wildfire Law Center Help Victims of the Maria Fire?
With over 60 years of combined legal experience, our award-winning lawyers at the Wildfire Law Center know how to handle lawsuits related to wildfires.
When you choose us to represent you in your Maria Fire lawsuit, you can expect us to:
- Investigate the damage from the fire to your home and family
- Consult with leading wildfire experts to provide guidance and testimony
- Handle all negotiations with insurance companies
- Protect you from settling for less than you deserve
- Maximize your insurance settlement by pushing back if insurance companies reject your claim or devalue your property
You’ve suffered a devastating trauma. Let our wildfire lawyers help you recover from injuries and losses, so you can get your life back.
Give us a call to schedule a free consultation with our accomplished legal team. We’ll sit down with you to review your case and help you understand the legal options available.
You’ve lost too much already. We won’t let insurance companies take advantage of you.
Maria Fire: A Brief Overview
Beginning on Halloween night in 2019, the Maria Fire ran southwest from Ventura County towards Somis, California, and continued to grow through the night. The 20-30 mph canyon winds brought the fire to full scale, and it spread rapidly through the Santa Paula area, burning 4000 acres in a matter of hours.
Heading north towards Santa Paula, the fire ran into a wind tunnel, forcing mandatory evacuations of 1800 homes and displacing over 7500 residents.
A drone in the area interrupted water-dropping helicopters, allowing the fire time to spread without containment.
The next day, DC-10 air tankers, along with helicopters, made runs on the fire.
What Was the Cause of the Maria Fire?
The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined officially, but there are initial reports suggesting a failure on the part of Southern California Edison (local utility), which had reenergized a 16k-volt power line.
By the time the fire was contained a week later, on November 6, 2019, it had burned 9,999 acres. Lawsuits allege negligence by Southern California Edison for failing to keep the power off during the winds and for poor line maintenance.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
If you’ve suffered losses as a result of the Maria Fire, the Wildfire Law Center can help you file a lawsuit against the utility company for its negligence in causing the fire.
Utility companies deliver power by installing and maintaining equipment and lines through easements across private and public property. They’re legally required to maintain their network to ensure the safety of the community in the surrounding areas.
This responsibility includes:
- Tree trimming to avoid interference with power lines
- Vegetation and brush removal near gas pipes and electric lines
- Fireproofing poles
- Prohibiting smoking on the job
If utilities aren’t diligent, devastation like the Maria Fire is the result. If you suffered a loss in the fire, the utility could owe you compensation.
Having the right law firm by your side can help you get the compensation you deserve for injuries such as:
- Bodily harm
- Loss of home or business
- Loss of adjacent or nearby structures
- Personal property damage
- Loss of agricultural property and products
- Loss of income
No matter your loss or injury, our wildfire attorneys can help you get the justice and financial resources you need.
What if I Lost a Loved One?
In some cases, wildfires can even lead to the loss of a loved one. Our California wildfire lawyers help our clients file a wrongful death lawsuit in such cases.
The State of California has rules regarding who can file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of someone who died as a result of negligence. According to the California Code of Civil Procedure, laws governing wrongful death allow the following people to file:
- A domestic partner or surviving spouse
- Children of the decedent
If there’s no surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children, then the following individuals can file:
- Dependents of the decedent;
- Putative spouse (where the marriage was invalid but believed to be legitimate)
- Children of a putative spouse
- Parents
- Stepchildren
What if I Don’t Have Insurance?
The Wildfire Law Center can help even if you didn’t have insurance when the fire hit. If the utility company was negligent, whether you have insurance or not doesn’t matter. The utility owes you compensation for your losses regardless.
Contact the Wildfire Law Center To Help After the Maria Fire
Experiencing the nightmare of a California wildfire is traumatic and devastating. You’ve suffered tremendous loss and could face an uncertain future. Let us help you regain your footing.
At the Wildfire Law Center, we’ve helped countless victims of wildfires, and we know what they go through as they deal with the nightmare situation. That’s why it’s so important to our compassionate legal team to treat you with the care and dignity you deserve after what you’ve been through since the Maria Fire. No one should have to face it alone.
Reach out to the Wildfire Law Center so we can help you start your legal claim. The sooner you give us a call to begin the process, the sooner you and your family can be on your way to recovery and back in a safe home.
Contact our law offices today to learn more about our wildfire attorneys and how we can help you get compensation.