The wildfires in California continue to rage each year uncontrollably, and it seems like they get worse as time goes on. Unfortunately, many of these wildfires are entirely preventable and the fault of other individuals or companies. Every year, hundreds of thousands of acres are destroyed across the state of California. Not only does the land burn, but the property is destroyed, and lives are lost. At The Kaufman Law Firm, we are here to help if you need a California wildfire accident attorney. If you or somebody you know has lost their property or sustained an injury, or if a family member has lost their life due to a wildfire caused by someone else, we want to help you recover the compensation you are entitled to. You can reach us for a consultation by clicking here or calling us at 818-990-1999.
When we look at data provided by Cal Fire, we can see that there were 9,917 total fire incidents in the state during the latest full reporting year (2020). Out of these incidents, 10,488 total structures were destroyed and 33 people lost their lives. A total of 4,257,863 acres were burned during that year. When we examine past data from Cal Fire, we can see that the fire seasons are becoming longer and deadlier.
The 2018 Camp Fire was the most destructive and deadliest wildfire in California history. The fire started on November 8, 2018, and was ignited by a faulty electric transmission line. This particular electric line was poorly maintained by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).
PG&E filed for bankruptcy in early 2019, citing expected liabilities coming from future lawsuits as the reason for filing. By December of 2019, the utility company had made a settlement offer of $13.5 billion to the victims of the wildfire. This offer was made based on the devastation caused by not only the Camp Fire but also several other fires caused by the utility company.
The Camp Fire is the most well-known example of a company holding liability for a devastating wildfire, but they are most certainly not the only company or individual responsible for causing fires in this state. However, we pointed out this example to show you that it is indeed possible to hold companies and individuals responsible and recover compensation for victims in these cases.
There may be various parties who can hold companies or individuals responsible by filing lawsuits in civil court after a devastating wildfire. This includes the following:
There may be various types of compensation available to those who file lawsuits in these cases. There is no way to determine the exact amount of money available in these situations without knowing the facts of each particular case, but compensation could be used to cover the following:
If you have been the victim of a wildfire in California and are unsure of where to turn next, reach out to the team at The Kaufman Law Firm today. We have extensive experience handling complex injury cases throughout the state, and we understand what it takes to determine liability and help victims recover the compensation they are entitled to. When you need a Los Angeles or California wildfire accident attorney, you can contact us for a consultation by clicking here or calling us at 818-990-1999.
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To learn more, contact our California law office today and schedule an initial evaluation to discuss your case.