Losing a Pet in the Wildfire: Your Right to Compensation

Typically, when we think of all that we have lost due to a wildfire, you might think of the properties and your loved ones. However, some people lose much more than those aspects alone: They lose their pets. First, the Butte County fire caused burn injuries and fatalities to many pets who were unable to escape the fire. Then, the Camp Fire began and many shelters were taking in animals that were found burned or lost after they were displaced from their homes. Following the Camp Fire, one of the largest shelters, the San Francisco SPCA, added 38 animals to their shelter. Many of them are still not reunited with owners and they confirmed that many animals lost their lives in the fire when family members couldn’t find them or bring them to safety.

Nobody wants to think about the loss of a pet, as we often treat our pets like family and want the best for them. Even the thought of a pet becoming injured is one of the most devastating and even traumatic things that can happen to somebody. If a pet is killed in a wildfire, especially one that was proven to happen at the hands of a negligent party, it is not uncommon for those who suffered these damages to ask for compensation. Losing a companion might be one of the most difficult things you will ever face and this is especially true when you know it could have been prevented if a reckless party had not acted in a certain way.

How the Law Handles These Matters 

If you have lost a pet that was dear to you, you might want to include this as part of your ‘damages’ even though putting a number on your losses might seem impossible. Animals tend to be considered your “property” under the law, which means that you might be limited in your compensation based on the “value” the court applies to your pet. There might have been veterinary bills that played a role in your case, which means that you might be able to compensate on an economic level if these are aspects that you had to pay out of pocket on your own. You might even be dealing with emotional distress from losing your pet in such a traumatic way and find it difficult to move forward since this horrific event.

For many people, the loss of a companion so special is more traumatic and emotional than it is just a way to receive compensation for your losses, which is why it might feel wrong for you – it is a pal you will not be able to replace. This is why, when somebody has acted extremely reckless and you have suffered extreme losses as a result, it might be possible to obtain damages for your emotional distress that will help you forward after one of the most difficult times in your life.

Seeking Legal Help for Your Losses 

Many people are making the important decision to step forward with legal representation on their sides during this difficult time, as the Camp Fire might be one of the worst, most traumatizing things that you have ever faced. You should never have to stand alone as you pick up the pieces to your life after somebody’s negligence caused you harm. At Marlene Leiva Law Group, we want to stand by the sides of victims who have received many damages they cannot account for by themselves. We will help victims bring a lawsuit against PG&E to recover a wide variety of losses and move forward even when it feels the most difficult. Contact us to find out what we can do for you at 415-459-7300.