The Woolsey Wildfire started in early November of 2018 in a remote part of Los Angeles County. It raged for 13 days before it was finally contained, leaving death and destruction in its wake.
The Woolsey Fire was the worst wildfire LA County had seen in modern history. If you were a victim of this fire, you deserve to be compensated for your personal injuries or loss of property. Our Woolsey wildfire lawyers at the Wildfire Law Center are ready to advocate for you.
Give us a call today for a free consultation to go over your case. We charge no upfront fees, so you pay nothing unless we’re able to get you a financial award. You have nothing to lose by calling us today.
How the Wildfire Law Center Can Help if You Suffered Losses after the Woolsey Fire
If you were injured or suffered losses in the Woolsey Fire, you need skilled and dedicated lawyers with experience representing victims of wildfires.
At the Wildfire Law Center, we can help you build a legal strategy that gives you the best chance to get compensation from the insurance companies and those liable for the fires.
Our California wildfire lawyers have over 60 years of combined legal experience and have been successfully handling wildfire cases for decades. We know how to get around the many hurdles that can arise in a wildfire lawsuit. We have a strong record of providing our clients with exceptional legal representation, and we can do the same for you. Rest assured your case will be in good hands.
Hiring the Wildfire Law Center to represent you after the Woolsey Fire means you’ll be getting a firm that will:
- Conduct an investigation of the fire and its impact on your family and property
- Review evidence regarding the cause of the fire and the liable entities whose negligence led to the fire
- Work with leading California experts on wildfires and the damage they can cause
- Negotiate with insurance companies to settle your case
- Represent you in court if your claim is denied or the settlement offer is too low
We understand the devastation of the Woolsey Fire, and we’ll treat you with the compassion and dignity you deserve after what you’ve suffered.
The Woolsey Fire Overview
On the afternoon of November 8, 2018, the Woolsey Fire started on the property of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory. Just prior to the fire, a power outage had been reported at a substation nearby.
Due to a number of concurrent fires and a shortage of resources, firefighters didn’t arrive for 20 minutes. The Woolsey Fire wasn’t fully contained until the evening of November 21, 2018.
The fire resulted in three fatalities and destroyed over 1600 homes, including those of well-known celebrities—garnering greater public attention. In addition, 96,949 acres were burned, 300,000 people were evacuated from 165,000 homes, and three firefighters were injured.
The consensus was that the Woolsey Fire was the worst LA County fire in modern history.
Victims have begun filing lawsuits for personal injuries, wrongful death, and the loss of homes and businesses.
If you’re a victim of the Woolsey Fire, our California wildfire attorneys at Wildfire Law Center can help.
What Was the Cause of the Woolsey Fire?
Southern California Edison, the utility in the area, reported an outage just before the fire began. While the company hasn’t stated that the outage was the reason for the fire, investigators considered scientific findings in a report issued by Cal Fire and the Ventura County Fire Department and concluded that Southern California Edison’s electrical and communication equipment was responsible for the Woolsey Fire.
Utilities are required to properly maintain their network to ensure the safety of the community. This includes:
- Trimming trees that could interfere with power lines
- Removal of brush and vegetation
- Ensuring poles have been fireproofed
- Keeping employees and contractors from smoking while on the job
When utilities fail to follow proper procedures, disasters like the Woolsey Fire can result. If you suffered from the fire, the utility should have to pay for its negligence.
What to Do if You Were Affected by the Woolsey Fire
If the Woolsey Fire impacted you, your family, or your property, there are a number of steps you should take in the event you choose to pursue compensation.
- For agricultural losses, be sure to have photos and a list of lost inventory. Consider the value of your trees beyond the season, as well as what it will cost to replace the trees and bring them up to production standards.
- Make sure you’re keeping track of your expenses. This could include food, clothing, toiletries, hotel bills, and other expenses tied to your need for room and board following evacuation. All of these expenses are part of your compensation.
Most importantly, hire a personal injury lawyer to help you navigate the law so you can recover damages.
Reach out to our well-respected and experienced California wildfire attorneys at the Wildfire Law Center. We have extensive experience helping fire victims get the financial awards they deserve.
What Injuries and Losses Can Be Compensated?
At the Wildfire Law Center, we’ll do everything possible to get you the compensation you need to get your life back on track. This includes compensation for losses such as:
- Personal injuries
- Loss of home or business, including any adjacent structures
- Damage to personal property
- Agricultural losses, including property and products
- Loss of income
Whatever losses you’ve suffered, our wildfire lawyers can help you get financial resources to aid in your recovery.
What if My Family Suffered a Wrongful Death?
If you lost a loved one in the Woolsey Fire, the Wildfire Law Center can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Per the California Code of Civil Procedure, the following individuals are permitted to file a wrongful death lawsuit:
- A domestic partner or surviving spouse
- Decedent’s children
In the alternative, if there is no spouse/partner or children, the following may file:
- Decedent’s dependents
- Putative spouse (in the case of an invalid marriage that was believed to be valid)
- Putative spouse’s children
- Decedent’s parents
- Decedent’s stepchildren
California only allows two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit, so it’s important to get started as soon as possible.
Get Help From the Wildfire Law Center After the Woolsey Fire
Living through a wildfire is horrific. Suffering the unbearable loss of life and property can be a traumatic experience that will stay with you. Watching your life’s work go up in literal flames is something no one should have to endure.
Give us a call at the Wildfire Law Center. We stand ready to help you recover physically, emotionally, and financially. Get your future back by holding the liable parties responsible.
Our wildfire lawyers have in-depth experience helping Fire victims get back on their feet. We know how to deal with insurance companies, the utility, and any other entity that may be responsible for your losses.
Call today to get started. Let us show you how we can help.