When is a Lawsuit Necessary in the Event of a Serious Wildfire?

Recent reports have showed that the California Camp Fire is one of the costliest wildfires to take place across the entire country. The overall cost of damages came out to an astounding $16.5 billion, which is rated the costliest natural disaster in 2018 alone. In second and third place were only the devastating Hurricane Michael and Hurricane Florence. The Camp Fire was also rated the deadliest on record with 86 people losing their lives and many others receiving a variety of injuries.

Much of this cost was due to the fact that the fire ripped through acres and acres, causing structures to be demolished. This meant that many people lost their homes and businesses, with costs that continue to pile up. Thousands of homes and vehicles were completely gutted by the fire, especially in Paradise, where the entire town seemingly burned to the ground.

If you have been affected by the Camp Fire and suffered real losses that can be accounted for such as the loss of a home, loss of a loved one, or serious injuries, you might have questions about how you can move forward. One of the most vital questions you must ask yourself, is, “When is it necessary to move forward with a lawsuit?” How will your losses be covered so that you can find the strength to move on?

When a Lawsuit Might be Necessary 

In 2016, wildfires were burning through various sections of California as well, taking out a total of 40,000 acres. The Clayton Fire and Chimney Fire claimed 220 structures, which is small in comparison, but caused many people to suffer extreme monetary losses. If you suffer damages in a wildfire, you might wonder if insurance will cover your losses or if a lawsuit is necessary.

PG&E could very well be found liable for the entirety of the Camp Fire, which means that they will have to pay damages for those who suffered damages. However, with the company owing possibly billions due to all of the destruction, many individuals wonder if they will get the compensation they deserve.

The truth is, when it comes to compensating for your losses, insurance comes first. Homeowners’ insurance covers aspects like fires but this usually only applies to things like house fires that happen by accident. Wildfires are a lot different as far as your insurance is concerned, especially if you live in areas where wildfires are practically expected as they have happened there in the past. Wildfire destruction is also a lot different from that in which occurs from your typical house fire. You should always be familiar with your insurance policy before a wildfire comes about, because you never know when to expect them.

If a fire happened due to the negligence of an individual or a company, whether on purpose or accident, you might be able to bring a lawsuit against whoever started the blaze. This will be your best bet for compensating when the accident was more than just a simple accident, and has become a natural disaster. Not only could the Camp Fire be a negligence claim, but it might also turn into a criminal matter.

Exhausting All of Your Options  

At the Marlene Leiva Law Group, we want to help you through this difficult time if you have fallen victim to the California Camp Fire in a variety of ways. One of the biggest things that you will have to show in your case is that PG&E is liable for your injuries or property loss. We can also help you in the midst of your case if you have to bring a wrongful death claim on behalf of the loss of a loved one. Contact us today to find out what we can do for you at 415-459-7300.