The Hughes fire is a devastating fire affecting Los Angeles County residents and we want to help where we can. We have successfully handled many Southern California fire-related claims before. This includes securing support for smoke, soot, and ash damage that insurers like to deny coverage on.
Not everyone impacted by this fire will need an attorney.
This page will cover when we can help, how we can help, if you need help, qualifying claims, and what to do next.
If you think you may need an attorney, please fill out the form at the bottom of this page and we will provide a free consultation to you.
Hughes Fire Devastation in Los Angeles County
The Hughes Fire in northwestern Los Angeles County sparked in late January of 2025. Over 30,000 residents in the area around Caustic Lake were ordered to evacuate. The blaze may eventually burn more than 10,000 acres and destroy many structures, including houses. Any fire of this size can quickly threaten lives as well.
Victims forced to make a hasty escape from this dangerous fire may return to their property to find damage or complete devastation. Some will lose homes or businesses and have to rely on unhelpful insurance companies to earn money to pay for recovery.
How Maison Law Can Help Hughes Fire Victims
Unfortunately, not everyone who files a claim will receive the same level of compensation. Many will receive far less than they need to repair and rebuild. Victims will need to have strong evidence of their losses and be able to stand up to insurance adjusters who try to downplay their hardships to save money.
Our California Wildfire & Utility Claim Lawyers take action when insurers unfairly deny or reduce compensation to victims. We get aggressive against at-fault parties who are found to have caused a blaze, including utility companies whose negligence has been proven to cause wildfires in recent years.
These are just a few of the ways our lawyers can improve the outcome of your claim:
- Investigate the circumstances and those at fault
- Determine which damages should be claimed
- Determine the value of everything that’s been lost and the cost to replace
- Determine who is financially responsible for the wildfire
- Work to make sure responsible parties are held accountable (e.g., third parties, insurance companies, power companies)
- Appeal wildfire claims that have been rejected
- File lawsuits if insurers refuse to accept responsibility for damages
- Demand more if you receive a settlement offer that doesn’t cover every loss
- Earn you more in compensation to repair and remove smoke, soot, and ash damage
- Demand much more in compensation than you may have been able to secure by filing yourself
What’s the First Step After a Los Angeles County Wildfire?
Contact an attorney. With how insurance companies operate, the most effective first step may be to take protective action. You should consult with a skilled lawyer in a free consultation to find out what your claim should be worth. It’s an easy way to know when an insurance adjuster is trying to get you to far less than is available for your damage.
After a wildfire, some victims will receive fair treatment. Unfortunately, there are two common ways that victims lose out on full fire damage compensation:
- Conflicting damage estimates. An adjuster will likely visit your property and place a dollar estimate on your damage, determining the settlement offer you’ll likely receive. But an estimate from your insurer can miss the mark by a mile. The adjuster may simply not have the experience necessary to identify the true extent of your damages. The adjuster may also be under pressure to make a “lowball” estimate to protect the insurance company’s profits. Your attorney will almost certainly reach a different estimate. We know this as we’ve handled many California wildfire claims before. The expert adjusters we use find things left out and overlooked. Historically, we help people obtain substantially more money for their claims than they would receive without us.
- Utility company liability in a fire. In many recent California wildfires, electric companies have proven to be at fault for the start and spread of destructive wildfires. Southern California Edison and PG&E have been held financially responsible for many wildfires over the past decade and ordered to provide support to victims. In these cases, you’ll want to take action quickly and rely on the help of a skilled lawyer to file a mass tort action (many victims filing a single lawsuit) against the third party who is responsible for the fires. Awards in these cases can be limited and funds do run out for those who delay.
These are two completely different issues, but they factor into the recovery process far too often for Los Angeles fire victims. 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.
What Can I Receive Support For After a Wildfire?
Property owners may think they’ll able to fully rebuild their lives because they are covered by a homeowners policy. Unfortunately, they can discover that insurance adjusters have valued their homes at far less than the cost it would take to replace them. Business owners may be left without enough funds to reopen their doors so they can support themselves and their families.
A Hughes Fire Lawyer would be fighting to get all of these damages covered and more. A lawyer would also ensure that victims listed every hardship they’ve been through since a frightening fire evacuation. Anything left out of a wildfire claim is something insurers can ignore. These unmentioned damages become something victims would have to pay for out of pocket.
An experienced Wildfire Attorney would insist that you were fully compensated for these and other damages:
- The costs to rebuild a house, business property, and other buildings
- Repair of smoke, soot, ash, fire, and water damage
- The cost to replace yards, lawns, and landscaping
- Replacement of possessions, including cars, furniture, valuables, and keepsakes
- Compensation for the loss of property value
- Damage and losses caused by vandals and looters
- Costs incurred during evacuation
- Living expenses while without a home
- Loss of income and benefits while victims must miss work
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do I Have to File a Hughes Wildfire Claim?
Two Years. Victims have up to two years after a wildfire to file for damages and any injuries or loss of life. Certain funds set up for wildfire victims will be kept open longer. Check with an attorney to make sure you don’t miss deadlines.
Can my family seek compensation if we lose a loved one in a wildfire?
Yes. California empowers families struck by tragedy to file wrongful death claims against anyone or any business that had a hand in starting a fire. Homeowners insurance may also cover certain costs for families. Funeral costs and leftover medical expenses might be covered in a claim. Relatives should also seek support for the future now that a loved one’s income won’t be available to help support the family.
What can I do to help build a strong wildfire claim after a wildfire?
Once your property is safe to visit, document the damage with pictures and video. Keep evidence of the wildfire’s destruction. Don’t throw away damaged items. Keep all documents and receipts that show the cost of finding a place to live and rebuilding your life. Keep your medical bills.
What If I Can’t Afford to Pay a Los Angeles County Wildfire Lawyer?
If you decide we can help you earn more for your injuries and damages, you won’t need to have any upfront money to hire us. Maison Law doesn’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the settlement money you are awarded.
Contact a Hughes Wildfire Lawyer Today
Maison Law of Los Angeles is ready to help victims make sure they receive the most support possible from homeowners insurance companies. We can also help victims file claims against utility companies if it’s discovered that negligence caused a wildfire.
Not every victim will need a lawyer’s help to get fair treatment from insurers, but it’s a good idea to find out what your claim is worth. Reach out to our lawyers for a no-risk, no-obligation free case consultation.
