Wildfire Lawyer

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What is a wildfire?

A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire that burns wildland vegetation—most often in rural areas. However, while wildfires can burn in forests, grasslands, deserts and other ecosystems, they aren’t limited to any one type of environment. Even though most wildfires start in rural areas, they can quickly spread to more populous residential areas. When these out of control burns spread to residential areas, they devastate not only wildlife and natural areas but also the people, homes and businesses in nearby communities.

What causes wildfires?

According to the National Park Service, 85% of wildfires are caused by humans. Studies show human carelessness is not only the majority cause of wildfires, but it also accounts for doubling the length of wildfire season. Often, humans cause wildfires from the following:

Campfires left unattended
Burning debris
Equipment use and malfunctions
Negligently discarded cigarettes
Intentional acts of arson

Who is liable for wildfires?

One of the questions we’re often asked is: How can a utility company be held responsible for damages caused by a wildfire? In fact, a utility company may be held accountable through a wildfire lawsuit if a blaze is caused by the following:

Old, poorly maintained, or malfunctioning power line
Sparks from equipment
A nearby tree that hasn’t been properly maintained by the power company

What can I recover after a wildfire?

If you’re hesitant to consider a lawsuit after an uncontrolled blaze, it’s important that you understand that your homeowners or renters insurance or even FEMA, may not cover all of the expenses you incurred. Further, often, bodily injury that you or a loved one suffered is not recoverable through traditional means. In addition, through these avenues, you may not even be able to recover the full cost of the property you lost. By contacting a Wildfire Lawyer, you may be able to recover the following:

Evacuation Expenses (such as hotel stays)
Wrongful Death from Fire or Smoke
Hospitalization
Serious Burns
Other Serious Personal Injury
Long-term Health Effects
Psychological Impact
Home Loss
Structure Loss
Damage to Animals/Pets
Damage to Timber/Trees
Erosion
Vegetation Loss
Damage to Landscaping
Significant Property Damage
Economic Loss
Agriculture Loss
Damage to Infrastructure
Business Loss
Business Interruption
Smoke Damage
Damage from Soot & Ash
Underinsured Property
FEMA Assistance
Utility & Other Service Interruptions
Housing Market Impacts

What are my options after wildfire damage?

Many families don’t realize that there are several options available to help them recover after a wildfire. If you are unsure of how to proceed after a wildfire, contact an attorney. We can help you navigate the systems in place that are there to help you recover from the losses you’ve suffered.

FEMA

FEMA is for those individuals and businesses that either have no insurance or are severely underinsured. According to Carlson Law Firm Wildfire Lawyer Bill Rossick, unless you are certain your insurance covers all your losses, you should apply for FEMA.

If you qualify, FEMA provides cash financial assistance to individuals up to $32,000—depending on the number of homeowners or renters insurance you have. Businesses that have suffered losses in a fire can apply for low-interest disaster loans.

Insurance Company

Homeowners or renters who carry insurance may be able to file a claim with their insurance providers. However, often, what is covered is limited.

Lawsuits against companies

As mentioned above, electric providers, railroad companies, and other businesses that spark wildfires through carelessness may be held accountable for the losses of people in communities affected by the negligence that led to a wildfire.

Download Your Copy of Our Home Inventory Spreadsheet

Creating a detailed home inventory is crucial for filing insurance claims after a wildfire. Here’s how to do it:

Document Your Belongings: Photograph or video each room, including closets and drawers. Create a list noting item names, descriptions, purchase dates, and values. Include receipts and appraisals for valuable items.
Organize and Store: Store your inventory digitally using cloud services, and keep a physical copy in a fireproof safe or with someone outside the fire-prone area. Update the inventory regularly to reflect new purchases.
Review Insurance Coverage: Ensure your policy covers replacement costs, not just actual cash value. Consider additional coverage for high-value items like jewelry or art. Share your inventory with your insurer to streamline any future claims.

Download our inventory spreadsheet to get started on ensuring the insurance company covers all of your belongings.

Wildfire Lawyer

Contact the Carlson Law Firm for Help

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What is a wildfire?

What causes wildfires?

Who is liable for wildfires?

What can I recover after a wildfire?

What are my options after wildfire damage?

FEMA

Insurance Company

Lawsuits against companies

Download Your Copy of Our Home Inventory Spreadsheet

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