A California wildfire can cause catastrophic devastation. Property damage, injuries, and loss of life can overwhelm a community. Wildfire victims deserve compensation for all their losses, including property losses, physical injuries, and emotional distress.
If you’ve been a victim of the Thomas Fire, our wildfire attorneys can help you recover compensation for your losses. Contact us at Wildfire Law Center to schedule a free consultation with a Thomas Fire lawyer.
How Can a California Wildfire Lawyer Help You with a Claim?
After experiencing a traumatic event, it can be challenging to deal with emergency services and insurance companies. Also, many wildfire victims in California must navigate the claims process set up by the utility company responsible for starting the fire. The entire process can be stressful, confusing, and time-consuming.
Hiring a wildfire claims lawyer allows you to focus on recovering from a tragic incident while your attorney handles the legal aspects of filing claims and negotiating settlements.
When you hire a California wildfire claims attorney, you can expect your lawyer to:
- Assist you with insurance claims
- Identify all parties who could be liable for your damages
- File claims with the utility company and other responsible parties
- Hire experts as necessary to assist with the investigation and your case
- Keep you updated on the progress of your wildfire claim
- Diligently fight to recover the maximum compensation for your damages
Our California fire damage attorneys have over 60 years of combined legal experience. We’ve been recognized by top legal organizations like Super Lawyers and The National Trial Lawyers for our success. Contact a California wildfire recovery lawyer for a free consultation if you have questions or need help with a wildfire claim.
Summary of the Destruction Caused by the Thomas Fire
The Thomas Fire began on December 4, 2017, just north of Santa Paula, California. The fire continued to the City of Ventura and eventually burned through 281,893 acres in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
In Ventura and Santa Barbara, 1,063 structures were destroyed. Another 280 structures were damaged. The structures included residential, commercial, and other buildings.
Firefighters battling the Thomas Fire included, but were not limited to firefighters from:
- CAL Fire
- Santa Barbara County Fire Department
- Ventura County Fire Department
- City of Ventura Fire Department
- City of Santa Paula Fire Department
Numerous fire engines and equipment were needed to contain the Thomas Fire. Nearly 9,000 emergency responders worked to contain the fire. The strong Santa Ana winds made containing the fire difficult, especially when the fire expanded into the Los Padres National Forest and the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains.
Sadly, a firefighter and a civilian were killed in the Thomas Fire.
What Caused the Thomas Fire in California?
The Ventura County Fire Department worked with CAL Fire and the U.S. Forest Service to investigate the cause of the Thomas Fire. The Investigation Report states that Southern California Edison’s facilities were the source of two fires that merged into the fire now known as the Thomas Fire.
Power lines came into contact during high winds causing an electrical arc near 16840 Anlauf Canyon Road. The result was molten material falling to the ground below, causing the fire. The term used to describe the situation is a “line slap.”
A separate fire was reported an hour later in the area of Highway 150 and Koenigstein Road. The fires merged into one fire.
Thomas Fire Lawsuits Allege Negligence and Wrongdoing by Southern California Edison
SoCal Edison and its parent company, Edison International, were named as defendants in multiple lawsuits alleging that the company’s negligence caused the Thomas Fire. The plaintiffs also allege that the companies are liable for damages caused by the Montecito mudslides because the fire left the hillsides in Montecito, California, barren.
Southern California Edison maintains that its equipment might not have been the reason for the fire in Anlauf Canyon. It disputes some findings by the investigative team. The company alleges its investigators found evidence contrary to the Investigation Report.
Thousands of plaintiffs have filed lawsuits alleging damages for personal injuries and property damages. Because SoCal Edison disputes some of the allegations of fault, the lawsuits must move through the courts to determine liability and damages.
The time to file claims and lawsuits for the Thomas Fire is limited by the statute of limitations. Therefore, wildfire victims should seek legal counsel now to determine whether they have a claim and the filing deadlines they must meet to pursue a claim against the parties responsible for causing the Thomas Fire.
Do You Need Help With a Claim Related to the Thomas Fire?
The Thomas Fire caused massive losses and devastation. If you need assistance with a claim or want to discuss filing a Thomas Fire lawsuit, contact us to discuss your legal options. We’ll use our 60+ years of experience to strengthen your claim and ensure you are getting all the compensation you deserve after the Thomas Fire.