Did a California wildfire damage or destroy your possessions in a rental home? Most renters don’t have rental insurance. Even if they do, insurance companies are quick to deny property damage claims and may not cover all your losses after a fire.
However, you may have other options for recovering compensation. A California wildfire attorney at Wildfire Law Center can help you identify all avenues for seeking the money you deserve, including insurance claims and class action lawsuits.
Contact us at Wildfire Law Center to schedule a free consultation to learn how we can help with your rented home loss.
How Wildfire Law Center Can Help With a Rental Home Fire Claim
If your rented home was recently damaged or destroyed in a wildfire, you may need legal help. Your rental insurance, assuming you have, one will challenge your claim at every turn. Moreover, they might not be the only party that is liable for your claim.
Many of the recent California wildfires have been linked to utility companies like Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and Liberty Utilities. You’ll need an experienced California fire damage lawyer if you want to go up against these giant corporations. Wildfire Law Center has the experience and skills to stand up and demand the compensation you’re owed.
When you hire our law firm, you can expect us to:
- Handle all aspects of your claim, from administrative tasks to court appearances
- Review your renter’s insurance to determine what damages it covers
- Identify whether you are eligible to participate in a class action lawsuit against a utility company
- Follow investigations into the cause of the wildfire that affected your rental home
- Gather evidence of your damages and analyze the value of your case
- Handle all communications and negotiations with liable parties
- Represent you in court in pursuit of fair compensation
Contact our law office today to schedule your free case review with a California fire lawyer.
How Common are Rental Home Fires Due to Wildfires?
There are Nearly 17 million renters in California. Scores of these renters have been affected by recent California wildfires. They’ve been displaced from their rental homes and lost valuable personal belongings, losing thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars in property.
Thousands of homes and structures have been destroyed in wildfires in California. To add insult to injury, this fire damage diminishes the available housing inventory in affected areas, driving prices up and making it harder for renters to afford the monthly rent.
For example, California’s two largest-ever wildfires had the following effect on housing supply:
- The Camp Fire destroyed around 20% of single-family housing stock in Butte County.
- The Tubbs Fire destroyed about 6% of single-family houses in Santa Rosa.
Wildfires have only ramped up in intensity. Six of the top 20 most destructive CA wildfires occurred in 2020. These fires damaged and destroyed over 10,000 structures, many of them rental homes and apartments.
What Causes Rental Home Fires?
Wildfires have been responsible for an increasing number of rental home losses in recent years. Many people assume these fires are natural disasters or “Acts of God.” Unfortunately, many of these wildfires have been linked to the negligence of utility companies.
Utility company equipment like power lines and transformers have been known to fail and spark a blaze that grows to a wildfire. These companies have also failed to turn off their equipment during high winds that could cause downed lines or contact with tree limbs.
Power companies are quick to deny blame for the wildfires; they often claim that a wildfire was influenced by unforeseen weather conditions.
Who is Liable for the Fire Damage to My Rental Home?
There are a number of class-action lawsuits against power and utility companies like PG&E and Edison (SCE) over recent wildfires in the state. These cases claim the defendants were negligent in installing or maintaining their equipment and failed to take reasonable precautions to prevent devastating wildfires.
Power companies have been investigated or found at fault for the following fires:
- Southern California Edison (SCE) – linked to or potentially responsible for the Coastal Fire, Woolsey Fire, Maria Fire, Silverado Fire, Thomas Fire, and the Bobcat Fire.
- Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) – the CampFire, Dixie Fire, Redwood Complex fire, Zogg Fire, Kincade Fire.
- Liberty Utilities – the Mountain View Fire.
The best way to determine who’s liable for your rental home loss is to contact an experienced California wildfire lawyer. Contact Wildfire Law Center to schedule a free initial consultation to learn more about your rights.
What are the Common Injuries and Losses Following Wildfires?
Wildfires have been responsible for billions of dollars worth of damage in California in recent years. They have also caused severe injuries and death to thousands of victims.
Victims have suffered severe personal injuries, such as:
- Burns
- Wrongful death
- Respiratory issues
- Coughing and wheezing
- Eye, nose, and throat irritation
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD
Renters, homeowners, and business owners have experienced:
- Structural damage to their properties
- Roof collapse
- Water damage
- Electrical damage
- Plumbing damage
- Smoke damage
- Landscaping and tree loss
- Loss of valuable personal belongings
Wildfires frequently displace renters who may have nowhere else to go. Homelessness is a common issue arising from wildfires.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Wildfire?
You may be able to recover any damages linked directly to the wildfire. These damages may include:
- Personal property loss – This will be the most common in a rental property fire. You may be able to recover money for damaged or destroyed vehicles, furniture, electronics, appliances, jewelry, and other valuable items.
- Personal Injury or wrongful death. If you or a loved one were injured in the fire, you could be entitled to compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. You could receive reimbursement for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, among other things. If you lost a loved one, you could be entitled to loss of support and companionship through a wrongful death claim.
- Loss of business – You may have worked from your rental home or operated a business from it. You may be able to recover money for the loss of your business assets and profits after the fire.
You may have damages not identified in these lists. An experienced fire damage lawyer at Wildfire Law Center can help you track all your damages and losses related to your rental home fire. We can help you understand the value of your claim and pursue compensation for everything you’ve lost.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Rented Home Fire Attorneys
You’ve suffered enough after your rented home loss. You deserve to hold the insurers and utility companies responsible for your losses. Wildfire Law Center can help. We have more than 60 years of combined legal experience and are ready to invest our time and skill in your case.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with a California wildfire attorney. Our legal team is ready to help after your rented home loss.