The Support You Need. The Settlement You Deserve.
This page explains how we can help you get the most out of your insurance coverage as we have done for many wildfire clients in the past.
*Please go here if you’re looking to sign up for the Eaton Fire VS Southern California Edison Lawsuit.
The Eaton Fire has caused extreme damage to thousands of acres, homes and businesses.
We’ve handled many wildfire insurance claims in the past, and we’ve been able to get clients significantly more money for their claims than their insurance company offered them.
Your insurance company’s adjuster will often overlook the complete amount it will cost to replace everything. We use experts and independent adjusters when necessary to come up with the amount of damages on your insurance claim.
Contact us today via phone or the contact form on this page to get started.
How Maison Law Helps Victims of the Eaton Fire
We help clients by:
- Identifying all damages you can claim
- Calculating the value of what’s been lost and what it will cost to replace
- Finding out who is financially responsible for the wildfire
- Holding all responsible parties accountable (insurance companies, utility companies, third parties)
- Appealing rejected wildfire claims
- File lawsuits if insurers won’t accept responsibility
- Demanding more if a settlement offer doesn’t fully cover your losses
In many wildfires, multiple parties may be responsible. Our lawyers will make sure you have what you need to file a strong claim and get what you’re owed from all responsible parties.
What’s the First Step After a Wildfire?
Contact an attorney.
After a wildfire you “shouldn’t” need a lawyer to file a claim and gain wildfire support, however, there are 2 problems that often arise.
- Your attorney or public independent adjuster is almost definitely going to arrive at a different number than your insurance company’s adjuster. We know this as we’ve handled many California wildfire claims before. Our expert adjuster always finds things left out and overlooked. Historically, we help people obtain substantially more money for their claim than they receive without us.
- It is very likely a third party, such as an electric company, will be held liable for these fires. You need an attorney immediately to file a mass tort action (many victims filing a single lawsuit) against the third party who is responsible for the fires.
These are two completely different issues. We’d like to think a claim would go through with no problems and you do not need an attorney. However, that just has not been our experience helping our wildfire clients.
How does the Claims Process Work?
After speaking to your attorney, the claims process may begin. Depending on the situation, your attorney may file your claim or you may file it. You’ll want to make sure you claim things like, but not limited to:
- Property damage – This includes the cost of repairing or replacing your home, belongings, or any other property damaged or destroyed in the fire. If your home or personal items were lost in the Eaton Fire, you may be able to recover the costs to replace or repair them. It can also cover out-of-pocket expenses like evacuation costs.
- Medical expenses – If you were injured in the Eaton Fire, you may have medical bills for hospital stays, doctor visits, surgeries, medications, or long-term care. These expenses can add up quickly, and you may be able to recover those costs through a claim.
- Lost income – If you had to miss work due to injuries or the fire’s impact, you may be able to recover financial support for the wages you lost. If the fire causes permanent damage that prevents you from working in the future, you may also be able to recover future lost income.
- Pain and suffering – This refers to the physical pain and discomfort you’ve experienced due to injuries from the fire. It can also include the pain you may continue to experience from burn injuries, breathing issues, or trauma caused by the fire.
- Emotional distress – The emotional toll of losing your home, possessions, or dealing with injuries from the Eaton Fire could be even more significant than physical damage. You may experience anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other emotional struggles. These damages are based on your emotional fallout from the fire.
- Reduced quality of life – Most likely, the fire has affected your ability to enjoy daily activities, like hobbies, socializing, or caring for yourself, so you can get damages for this reduced quality of life. This could also include any long-term impacts that prevent you from doing things you used to enjoy or that harm your relationships with others.
- Wrongful death expenses – If a loved one died as a result of the Eaton Fire, you may be able to recover costs related to their death, including funeral expenses and loss of financial support. A wrongful death claim can also help you with the emotional and financial toll of losing a family member.
If you’ve been affected by the Eaton Fire, our team can help guide you through the process of claiming these damages and getting the financial support you need to rebuild your life.
Should Homeowners Insurance Cover Smoke, Soot & Ash Damage from a Wildfire?
Yes. Maison Law helps people with Smoke and Ash damage claims. We have helped many clients receive substantially more compensation for their smoke and ash remediation claims with fires such as the Santa Clarita Fire in 2016.
We have experts we use when necessary, including an adjuster, and work to uncover damages and losses often overlooked. We work on your behalf to maximize compensation and settlements.
What Should You Do If You’re Being Impacted by the Eaton Fire?
After a fire or natural disaster, your main priority should always be your health and safety. However, it’s also important to take steps to measure the damage to both your physical and mental well-being as you recover. If you’re being impacted by the Eaton Fire, here’s what you need to do:
- Follow evacuation orders – No matter what your situation is, you need to follow evacuation orders to maintain your safety. Also stay away from any hazardous areas to protect yourself.
- Get medical care – If you’ve suffered burns or smoke damage, get medical care right away. This will help tie any injuries to the fire.
- Document your losses – When it’s safe, you can go back to your home or property and assess the damage. Take pictures, videos, and make note of anything that might support your claim.
- Keep any documentation – Save any evidence you’re able to gather. Also, don’t repair or replace anything that’s been damaged until you can properly document it for your claim.
Even with a situation as scary and traumatic as the Eaton Fire, the strength of your insurance claim is going to rest on the evidence you can put forward. That’s why it’s so important to take these steps to the extent you’re able. Our lawyers can also help you through the claims process to make sure you’re protected.
Should You Get a Lawyer?
Not everyone affected by the Eaton Fire will need a lawyer. However, always speak to a lawyer for free advice if you are dealing with the following:
- Significant or extensive property damage.
- The insurance company is undervaluing your losses.
- Serious injuries from the fire.
- A low settlement offer.
Insurance companies can sometimes use tactics to reduce the amount they pay. If this happens, discussing your case with our team of wildfire lawyers may be your best option for getting the support you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I need to go to court for the fire damage?
Not usually. Most insurance claims are settled out of court. Insurance companies often try to avoid the time and expense of a trial. With a lawyer representing you, they’ll likely work harder to settle your claim fairly without going to court.
Does it cost anything to work with your lawyers?
If you decide to work with us, you won’t have to pay anything upfront. At Maison Law, we don’t get paid unless we win your case. Our fee comes out of the settlement you’re awarded, so there’s no risk to you.
Contact Maison Law for Help After the Eaton Fire
At Maison Law, we’re ready to help you get the support you need from insurance companies and hold any responsible parties accountable if you’ve experienced damage from the Eaton Fire.
Not every victim will need a lawyer, but it’s important to know what your claim is worth.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case consultation.
