Maison Law represents homeowners who have lost their homes and property to wildfires or have suffered injuries. We safeguard Orange County victims of the Airport Fire and other wildfires that may have been caused by negligent California utility companies or government agencies. Please contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a real California lawyer and find out how to hold companies like PG&E fully accountable for your hardships.
Do I Need a Lawyer After Suffering Wildfire Damage or Personal Injury?
Being the victim of a wildfire, like the Trabuco Canyon Fire, can rob you of your home, your possessions, and your wellbeing. And if a county or city government’s negligent actions caused the fire, you would probably expect to receive help in rebuilding your life and paying your medical bills.
Unfortunately, government entities are protected by powerful legal loopholes and can spend a lot of money on lawyers. They will try to get government departments off the hook for wildfire liability. If they must accept responsibility, their lawyers and insurance adjusters will then focus on limiting the support victims receive as much as possible.
This can leave homeless and injured victims paying for much of their own hardships. A skilled California wildfire attorney is a safeguard against this unfair treatment. Your attorney investigates the wildfire’s origins and collects evidence showing the toll the disaster took on your family’s lives. Then your Maison Law representative would aggressively demand the maximum in compensation for you and your family.
Airport Fire Property Damage and Injury Dangers
The Orange County Airport Fire’s total damage and toll on human life is still being determined, but thousands of acres have been destroyed and there have been injuries reported. The fire started Monday Afternoon, September 9, 2024. It threatened residents, homes, and businesses in the Trabuco Canyon north of Rancho Santa Margarita, on the eastern side of Orange County.
ABC7 reports the fire caused evacuations along Rose Canyon Road, Trabuco Creek Road, Trabuco Canyon Road, Trabuco Oaks Drive, Joplin Loop, and Cook’s Corner. More evacuations were possible and fire officials were watching the threat to the Robinson Ranch neighborhood.
The Orange County Fire Authority classified the fire as unintentional. Investigators said the blaze was started by an Orange County Public Works crew. The crew was using heavy equipment to move boulders and block access to extremely dry land and vegetation that motorcyclists and others pass over. They were trying to reduce the risk of wildfires when a spark from heavy equipment started the blaze.
When power companies or government agencies cause this much damage, it’s only reasonable to expect them to contribute to the massive recovery costs victims may face. Unfortunately, insurance companies for at-fault parties can make it difficult for victims to secure the help they need. A Maison Law Airport Fire attorney isn’t afraid to stand up to these large entities and demand what’s fair for clients.
Compensation Available for Wildfire Victims
Many Airport Fire victims will find out the hard way that homeowners insurance will usually provide far less than is needed to rebuild their homes and replace possessions.
However, when government agencies are found responsible for causing wildfires, the worry of rebuilding residences and lives shouldn’t be the concern of the victims. At-fault companies and county governmental departments should be fully responsible for helping victims recover financially.
A California wildfire personal injury lawyer makes sure every hardship clients have faced and will face after a fire is clearly listed in a fire claim. This is critical because anything left out of a lawsuit can end up as a cost victims and the families of victims would have to pay out of pocket.
Of course, families traumatized by man-made disasters will have more than just money issues to deal with. They may also have health issues and emotional trauma to overcome.
These are just a few of the things that can increase the size of a settlement check or judgment:
- Support to rebuild a house or a business and other property.
- Support to remove smoke damage.
- Support for agricultural harm. Damage to crops and loss of ranch animals.
- Replacement of personal property like vehicles and keepsakes.
- Compensation for the loss of property value.
- Costs not covered by a homeowners insurance policy.
- Medical costs for injured victims. The lifelong costs for patients dealing with severe burns.
- Emotional trauma caused by evacuating a wildfire and losing everything.
- Costs incurred during evacuation.
- Loss of income and benefits while victims must miss work.
- Support for families who lose a loved one to a wildfire.
What if homeowners insurance won’t cover all of my recovery costs after a California Wildfire?
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a California wildfire claim?
Two years. Most wildfire victims will have two years to file a claim to get help in replacing a home or with their evacuation costs. Victims filing claims against a wildfire trust fund or in a class-action lawsuit may have longer in some cases. What’s more, suing a government agency may come along with a much shorter deadline (see below).
What if I can’t afford to hire a California Wildfire Lawyer?
You won’t need any money to hire a skilled California wildfire lawyer to represent you against a county agency or PG&E. Maison Law doesn’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the settlement you receive.
Is it hard to sue a government agency after a wildfire?
Yes. These cases can be very complex. Government agencies like Orange County will have protections limiting what you can sue them for. You may even have to seek permission to file a claim against the city or county. County departments may also be able to enforce a statute of limitations on cases that’s much shorter than a normal case. Victims may only have months to file a claim or lose their chance to seek support. It’s a good idea to have a lawyer handling your case and making sure you meet all the requirements the government throws in your path. Maison Law can build a strong case that clearly shows the fault of government employees.
Contact a California Airport Wildfire Lawyer
Wildfires can destroy people’s lives in ways that few other disasters can. Evacuees can flee for their lives and later learn they have no home to return to. Government departments and utility companies must be held responsible for their negligence and even their policies that put California residents at life-threatening risk every year.
If you or a loved one are injured or lose your home and property to a wildfire caused by human mistake, speak to a California wildfire fire lawyer. Contact Maison Law for a free consultation no matter where you live in California. Our case reviews are confidential and come with no obligation.
