Wildfires can erupt without warning, devouring properties, businesses, and vast tracts of land within hours. If you’ve faced property loss, injury, or lost a loved one due to a wildfire, the path to recovery can be daunting. Let our experienced wildfire lawyers guide you – contact us for a free initial consultation.
With over 40 years of dedicated advocacy, Arias Sanguinetti | Trial Lawyers is a team of attorneys skilled in all manner of complex litigation on behalf of individuals who have endured injuries and property damage. Our prowess extends to mass plaintiff actions, boasting over $1.5 billion secured for our clients in mass and class action lawsuits.
Understanding Wildfire Insurance
Many believe that their standard homeowner’s insurance will encompass all damages from wildfires. However, there are instances where insurance claims are unjustly denied, or policy limits fall short of covering the entirety of losses. If you’re grappling with an unjust insurance denial, you need seasoned attorneys to ensure you’re rightfully compensated.
Insurance companies are obligated to operate in good faith, providing fair treatment to policyholders. Indicators of an insurance company acting in bad faith include:
- Prolonged claim processing delays.
- Failure to acknowledge a claim.
- Underestimating a claim.
- Misinformation about policy provisions.
- Incorrect claim denial.
- Misrepresentation of investigation results.
Victims of such bad faith claims might be eligible for compensation encompassing out-of-pocket expenses due to denied claims, attorney fees, emotional distress, and potentially, punitive damages.
Wildfires and Utility Companies
Utilities have been identified as significant contributors to some devastating wildfires. Aging infrastructure, lack of maintenance, and overhead power lines can become ignition points, especially during high wind events or when they come into contact with dry vegetation. As climate change exacerbates drought conditions, the risk heightens. While utility companies are mandated to maintain their equipment to prevent such disasters, lapses can have catastrophic consequences for communities. As a result, there’s an increasing emphasis on holding these companies accountable, ensuring they upgrade infrastructure, and adopt preventive measures to minimize the risk of sparking future fires.
Insurance Policy Gaps
If your insurance fails to cover certain losses, or if damages surpass policy limits, you might have a valid claim against the culpable party. While insurance might cover property damage, they often overlook emotional and personal injuries resulting from wildfires.
To determine whether you may have a claim against a third party, call our firm today to speak with our team.
Determining Wildfire Accountability
Natural phenomena like lightning can be culprits, but human negligence or intent often fuels wildfires. This could stem from carelessly disposed cigarette butts, fireworks, or even deliberate arson. Occasionally, the blame lies with entities such as utility or construction companies, or even governmental bodies.
Wildfire Consequences
The aftermath of a wildfire is catastrophic. Not only is there potential loss of property and belongings, but the associated costs can be overwhelming.
Physical injuries can range from minor to fatal, with survivors often dealing with scars, smoke-related complications, and even lifelong disabilities. Such injuries can have ramifications like lost income and immense emotional distress.
Our wildfire team at Arias Sanguinetti | Trial Lawyers handles claims related to:
- First, second, and third, and fourth degree burns.
- Respiratory injuries due to smoke, vapor, particle, and chemical, and toxic gas inhalation.
- Other injuries sustained while escaping from a wildfire.
In addition to providing legal support, our team can connect you with proper medical care to ensure that you receive treatment for your injuries as soon as possible.
Dealing with Fatal Wildfire Injuries
In grimmer scenarios, injuries can be lethal. Families then must grapple with the loss, both emotional and financial. Wrongful death claims could encompass:
- Loss of financial support and benefits from the deceased.
- Potential future earnings.
- Funeral and interment expenses.
- Emotional loss, such as companionship.
- Loss of consortium.
- Absence of household services.
- Your Wildfire Legal Experts
Choose a Team of Compassion, Skill, and Resilience
Wildfires inflict not just materialistic loss, but emotional scars. Having stood by thousands of property damage, personal injury, and wrongful death victims, the lawyers at Arias Sanguinetti understand the depth of pain and trauma sustained by wildfires. Lean on our vast experience, proven history, and unparalleled expertise to champion your cause.