Anyone whose property or livelihood was affected by the fire, including homeowners, renters, business owners, and other individuals or entities, may be eligible to file a claim.

Those impacted by a wildfire can claim losses such as: structural damages, tree damages, lost personal property, erosion issues, personal injury, wrongful death, business losses, evacuation costs, emotional distress, harm to pets or livestock, lost wages, loss of use and enjoyment of your property, and loss of crops. If you were impacted by a wildfire, give us a call to discuss what compensation you may be eligible to receive.

Both insured and uninsured individuals are eligible to recover compensation in a wildfire claim.  Any insurance coverage a person does receive may, however, be deducted from their overall recovery depending on the circumstances of the case.

If you are the victim of a wildfire, you should save all of your evacuation receipts, including food, lodging, and necessities, as well as any other documentation of your expenses and/or losses as a result of the fire, including therapy invoices, medical records, proof of lost income, repair costs, and photos.  Having documentation of your losses can certainly strengthen your claim, though our team of experts can help you value and document your losses in any situation.

California courts recognize the “personal reason exception,” which enables homeowners with an intent to rebuild their homes to claim their reasonable rebuilding costs even if they are higher than the property’s loss of value.

The typical process for a wildfire case involves three parts: investigation, negotiation, and litigation. During the investigation phase, our attorneys will gather evidence and documents in order to build a strong case against the liable party. In the negotiation phase, we will attempt to reach an agreement with the liable party without going to court, typically through a process called mediation. If an agreement cannot be reached, our experienced trial lawyers are prepared to fight for your rights in court.