Maison Law represents families who have lost precious loved ones in wildfires caused by negligent California utility companies like PG&E. Our personal injury lawyers go to work immediately to hold power companies responsible for all injuries and any loss of life that results from their carelessness. Please contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a real California lawyer and find out how to hold PG&E fully accountable for a wildfire tragedy.
Wildfire Death and Destruction Caused by PG&E Negligence
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has been blamed for causing over 30 wildfires in California since 2017. The death toll caused by just these recent fires has risen to over 100 lives. PG&E ultimately pled guilty to dozens of involuntary manslaughter charges. They can also be held responsible for their actions in civil cases. These wrongful death cases award close relatives the support they need to recover financially.
There’s no doubt that PG&E has been responsible for many deadly wildfires. Investigators with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention (CAL FIRE) point to PG&E’s failure to maintain and upgrade its power grid. They also found that the utility company ignored threats to its power lines and put off maintenance.
The Fire Victim Trust was funded by PG&E to provide support to the victims of the 2015 Butte Fires, the 2017 North Bay Fires, and the 2018 Camp Fires.
The victims of other fires, like 2021’s Dixie Fire, have been filing individual lawsuits against the power company to seek help in rebuilding their homes, paying hospital bills, and seeking support after the loss of a family member.
Families need to be aware of every benefit available to them through a wrongful death claim. Unfortunately, PG&E will have corporate lawyers and insurance adjusters trying to convince families that their losses aren’t all that important. Families should have a California Wildfire & Utilities Claim Lawyer on their side throughout the claims process and potential lawsuits. Your lawyer protects your rights and makes sure your family has the support they need for the future.
Deadly Risks Caused by PG&E Sparked Wildfires
Not all wildfires are natural disasters. These disasters are sometimes sparked by human negligence. PG&E might neglect to remove trees that are threats to fall on power lines. Then one day a tree falls, bringing the line in contact with the dry ground and a wildfire starts. PG&E may fail to invest in upgrades for power lines to help them withstand high winds. A blaze may erupt.
These wildfires not only destroy forest land and homes. They also injure thousands and cause life-threatening hazards. They create situations that can claim lives in so many ways.
These are just a few of the deadly hazards that arise when wildfires rage across California:
- Burn injuries
- Electrocution
- Deadly falls suffered during evacuation
- Objects falling
- Smoke inhalation
- Heart issues suffered during evacuation
- Heat exhaustion
- Chemical exposure
- Car accidents during evacuation
Filing a Wildfire Wrongful Death Claim Against PG&E
Unfortunately, families who have suffered the loss of a loved one in a wildfire must cope with more than grief and sadness after a tragedy. Close family members like a spouse and children may immediately suffer financial turmoil as bills come due and the guidance and support of a loved one is lost.
These hardships may only increase as time passes. The fact is, PG&E should be fully responsible for a family’s damages now and those that will arise in the future.
In these tragic cases, close relatives are permitted to seek wrongful death benefits from PG&E’s insurers.
Families will need to keep up the pressure on PG&E to act with compassion and help the victims of their carelessness and negligence. Your wildfire lawyer seeks compensation for these and other wrongful death hardships:
- Funeral and burial expenses.
- The medical and emergency services fees incurred before the victim’s death, including ambulance fees.
- Support for the paychecks the deceased can no longer provide through his or her job in the years ahead.
- Support for the emotional anguish suffered by loved ones. This can include the guidance those left behind can no longer lean on in the coming years.
- Cost of counseling and psychological services.
- Loss of consortium. (Being without the intimate support of a spouse or partner)
Who Can File a Wildfire Wrongful Death Claim?
California empowers a spouse, partner, or the children of a wildfire victim to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the rest of the family.
In some cases, the parents and siblings of the deceased could also file a claim if they can prove they were financially dependent on the victim.
A California wildfire wrongful death lawyer can also file this claim on behalf of close family members and handle the frustrating negotiations with PG&E insurers and lawyers. This will hopefully give families the time they need to mourn the loss of a precious life with as little disruption as possible.
Contact a California Wildfires Lawyer
Families usually have just two years to file a wildfire wrongful death claim. Waiting beyond this limit could mean your family has forfeited the right to seek financial help after a tragedy. You should talk to a California wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible so that evidence doesn’t disappear and witnesses don’t have the chance to move away or become hard to find.
If your family has lost a loved one in a PG&E-sparked wildfire, contact Maison Law to schedule a free consultation no matter where you live in California. Our case reviews are confidential and come with no obligation. If you decide we can help you earn more in support for your family, you won’t need to worry about paying for representation. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for your family. Then our fee comes out of the settlement money you are awarded.
