In January 2025, eight wildfires were reported in LA County. The two areas that saw the most significant impacts were the Pacific Palisades and Altadena. As local Los Angeles attorneys, we are committed to supporting survivors as they rebuild and recover. A wildfire lawyer in Pacific Palisades can help you understand your legal options.
At Arias Sanguinetti, the Pacific Palisades wildfire cases are deeply personal to us, and we believe that every survivor deserves justice and the financial compensation necessary to heal. Reach out to us today to connect with our experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyers and begin your journey toward recovery.
What Is the Palisades Fire?
Early evidence suggests that the Palisades Fire, which erupted on January 7, 2025, may have originated near the site of the Lachman Fire. This smaller blaze occurred six days earlier on New Year’s Eve. The Lachman Fire scorched approximately eight acres, and local residents have speculated that fireworks may have been the cause of the blaze.
When fire crews responded to the Palisades Fire on January 7, they observed its proximity to the site of the New Year’s Eve fire. This has led to the possibility that the Lachman Fire could have been reignited by strong winds that swept across Southern California on January 7.
The Pacific Palisades, located in the western section of Los Angeles, is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the south and the Santa Monica Mountains to the north. This area combines coastal beauty with rugged mountainous terrain. On January 7, 2025, the region was affected by powerful winds that contributed to the rapid spread of the Palisades Fire.
Is There a Legal Case for Negligence in the Palisades Fire?
Climate change has heightened the risk of wildfires in California, as drought conditions increase the likelihood of fires starting. Additionally, aging infrastructure, inadequate maintenance, and overhead power lines are key factors that can cause wildfires, particularly during high wind events or when in contact with dry vegetation.
While some of these problems are beyond anyone’s control, other issues can be addressed. Wildfires are often the result of negligence, and it’s important for those responsible to be held accountable. Pursuing legal action can provide you with the resources you need to recover from the damage and begin rebuilding your life.
In wildfire cases, negligence can occur in various forms, often related to failures in prevention, safety, or response. This includes:
- Neglecting to clear dry vegetation
- Failing to maintain firebreaks
- Improperly managing controlled burns
These and other instances of negligence can help increase the risk of a fire spreading. Negligence can also involve the improper use or maintenance of equipment, such as faulty power lines or machinery, which can spark a fire. Developers and landowners may also be negligent by not properly assessing fire risks when clearing land or constructing buildings.
Negligence can extend to inadequate responses during or after a wildfire outbreak, such as delayed fire department action, or poor environmental management practices, like insufficient forest thinning or failure to manage hazardous materials. A lack of proper fire defense measures can also contribute to the spread of wildfires.
In these cases, proving negligence involves showing that the responsible party failed to follow safety protocols or industry standards, making them liable for the resulting damages. Proving the cause of the Palisades Fire could take months. If there is no legal case for negligence, you may still need assistance holding insurance companies accountable if they deny your claim.
What Are Common Types of Damages in Wildfire Cases?
Wildfires not only destroy homes, businesses, and lives but can also cause significant environmental damage. This includes the destruction of habitats, reduced biodiversity, and contamination of water sources. As vegetation burns, harmful chemicals and pollutants are released, further damaging the ecosystem.
Property damage is one of the most pressing concerns for those affected by wildfires. This can include:
- Lost vehicles
- Lost equipment
- Other lost personal belongings
- Property destruction, whether in the form of homes or businesses
Many people impacted by wildfires are uninsured, but even if you don’t have insurance, financial compensation may still be available for the damage to your property. There are several options for recovering property damage costs. You can file a claim with your insurance company based on your policy.
However, many people who suffer damages in a wildfire face the issue of underpayment from their insurance providers. It’s crucial to carefully review your insurance policy to understand what is covered and what is not. To support those affected by the disaster, we are offering free insurance claim reviews.
Unfortunately, some insurers may engage in bad faith practices, such as:
- Denying valid claims without justification
- Undervaluing damages
- Delaying claims
These tactics can further hinder your ability to recover and rebuild, adding stress to an already challenging situation. If you’ve experienced such bad faith practices, you may be able to pursue compensation against the insurer for damages beyond the original claim, including pain and suffering and punitive damages.
The full extent of the wildfire’s impact is still being assessed. Arias Sanguinetti has recovered over $1.5 billion for our clients. We want to hear your story and discuss how we can assist you with understanding damages.
What Are the Most Frequent Wildfire Legal Claims?
If you’ve been affected by the Palisades Fire, you’ve likely experienced significant disruptions in your life. The physical and emotional toll can be overwhelming, whether you’ve suffered personal injuries, lost loved ones, or faced the destruction of your home and community.
The impacts of a wildfire can stretch far beyond the immediate devastation, and you deserve support in handling the recovery process and seeking the compensation to which you are entitled.
Common damages that you can file a wildfire-related injury claim for include:
- Smoke Inhalation: The thick smoke produced by wildfires carries harmful toxins and substances that, when inhaled, can cause respiratory issues like coughing, shortness of breath, and long-term lung damage. Vulnerable groups such as older adults, children, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions are particularly at risk.
- Burns: The intense heat and flames from wildfires can cause severe burns, resulting in excruciating pain, long-lasting scarring, and potentially life-threatening complications.
- Other Injuries: In the chaos of a wildfire, various types of injuries can occur, ranging from broken bones to traumatic brain injuries.
The emotional damage caused by wildfires can be just as devastating as the physical damage. Losing your home, business, and personal belongings–along with being uprooted from your community–can leave deep, lasting emotional scars. The trauma of such loss can affect your mental health, your sense of safety, and your ability to heal.
In addition to physical and emotional harm, many people are forced to evacuate their homes with little or no warning due to wildfires, often leaving behind important belongings and pets. Evacuation claims can assist those affected by mandatory orders, helping them recover compensation for temporary housing, lost wages, and other associated costs.
Displacement claims are often linked to property damage, especially when homes are destroyed or made uninhabitable. It’s crucial to document any displacement, including emergency shelter arrangements, to build a strong case. If you have experienced injuries, distress, or disruptions due to the Palisades Fire, our wildfire attorneys are here to help.
What Losses Are Typically Recovered in Wildfire Cases?
The aftermath of a wildfire can leave you facing an overwhelming financial burden. The destruction of your home, the cost of rebuilding or relocating, and the need to replace personal belongings can feel like an insurmountable challenge.
On top of these immediate losses, you may be forced to cover additional living expenses while finding temporary housing or managing other unexpected costs. The emotional toll of rebuilding your life is already difficult enough, and the financial strain only adds to the stress.
Even if your home wasn’t directly affected by the fire, you could still experience significant disruption of your daily life. For many homeowners, the financial and emotional recovery process from a wildfire can be long and difficult.
Economic damages may include:
- Property damage, including home destruction and personal belongings
- Costs for rebuilding, relocation, and replacing lost items
- Lost wages due to evacuation orders or injuries that prevent you from working
- Increased living expenses due to temporary housing and restricted access to your neighborhood
- Medical expenses for any injuries you sustained as a result of the fire
There are also a variety of non-economic damages you may be eligible to pursue depending on the specific losses you suffered. You don’t have to go through the process of pursuing compensation for wildfire damages alone. If you are considering filing a wildfire lawsuit, we can help you understand when you can file and what you can pursue.
Damages Available to Business Owners
For company owners, business losses caused by wildfires extend far beyond physical property damage. Rebuilding or relocating a business can be costly, but the economic losses from lost profits may be just as devastating.
While some businesses may have business interruption insurance, this coverage might not fully address all financial impacts, such as lost future profits, reputational harm, or disruptions that persist long after the fire. Business owners need to understand that claims for lost profits can still be pursued, even if they have business interruption insurance.
These claims can account for both actual losses and projected future earnings that were disrupted due to the wildfire. Our Pacific Palisades wildfire attorneys are here to assist business owners in pursuing compensation for losses caused by the Palisades Fire. Ensuring all potential losses are accurately accounted for is crucial to recovering the full compensation you deserve.
Our Pacific Palisades Wildfire Lawyers Work on a Contingency Fee Basis
Dealing with the aftermath of a wildfire is challenging enough without the added burden of another major expense. We work on a contingency fee basis — meaning you don’t pay us unless we win your case. From your initial consultation to court representation, there are no out-of-pocket expenses.
An experienced Pacific Palisades wildfire attorney is crucial in these challenging cases. We can help you file a claim and take the necessary steps to obtain the financial compensation you need. You deserve both justice and financial relief.
Case Study: Maui Wildfires Litigation
The LA wildfires draw many parallels to the fires that broke out on the Hawaiian island of Maui on August 8, 2023. The upcountry areas of Kula and Olinda were devastated, and the historic town of Lahaina was destroyed. Our attorneys have been working tirelessly to bring justice to those affected.
We are holding utility companies, telecommunications providers, landowners, and public entities accountable for their negligence. Partnering with local wildfire and personal injury attorneys with over 40 years of experience, we are part of a formidable litigation team helping people in Maui – a community Managing Partner Mike Arias is passionate about as a part-time resident.
We currently represent hundreds of clients in the Maui Fire case, addressing property damage, personal injury, and wrongful death. A $4 billion settlement has been proposed.
Relief Efforts From the Legal Community for the Pacific Palisades
In the wake of the LA County fires, we supported first responders through the AAJ’s “Trial Lawyers Care” initiative through donations. We have now partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles to support the organization’s ReBUILD LA™ through the “Arias Sanguinetti Wildfire Fund.”
Our legal team committed the first $25,000 to the fund, with 100% of donations going directly to Habitat LA’s ongoing recovery efforts. Many people, especially renters and homeowners living paycheck to paycheck, face uncertainty as they try to rebuild their lives. Donations help those displaced with relocation, rental and mortgage assistance, and refurbishing their homes.
During our Lahaina Fire Relief efforts, we found strength in unity. We joined the Hawaii Association for Justice to gather donations to the Maui Strong – Hawaii Community Foundation. for housing, sustenance, medicine, and other essential needs. Now, in this time of profound need in Los Angeles, we hope to see the power of partnership show itself once again.
Speak With Our Experienced Wildfire Lawyers in Pacific Palisades
Wildfires don’t just cause physical damage — they also lead to emotional and psychological trauma. At Arias Sanguinetti, our team of experienced wildfire attorneys serving Pacific Palisades has helped clients recover compensation for both material damages and future mental health care needs following a wildfire.
Those responsible must be held accountable for the harm they caused. Filing a wildfire lawsuit against these parties can help you access the resources you need to rebuild and recover. Past legal actions have resulted in billions of dollars in compensation for those affected. We’re here to help you understand your options.
Our team has represented numerous clients in cases involving property damage, personal injury, and wrongful death due to wildfires. We are ready to assist those impacted by the Palisades Fire. Contact us today to schedule a free case review. Let us help you recover the compensation and justice you deserve.
