Wildfire Lawyer
PRACTICE AREAS
The wildfire lawyer team at Reich & Binstock has helped many fire victims who have suffered devastating losses due to negligent utility companies and other negligent parties. If you’ve experienced property damage, personal injuries, or business losses from recent incidents like the Palisades Fire or the Eaton Fire, the experienced lawyers from our law firm can guide you through the legal process. Our skilled wildfire attorneys understand the challenges fire victims face when dealing with insurance companies and pursuing wildfire claims under various state laws. Our goal is to help you recover damages and obtain full and fair compensation for your devastating losses.
Our wildfire litigation lawyers handle wildfire liability cases on a contingency fee basis, so wildfire victims don’t owe any legal fees for lawsuits filed unless we secure fair settlements or jury awards.
If you’ve sustained losses after a wildfire, contact our law firm by calling 713-622-7271 for a free legal consultation to explore your legal options and ensure your legal rights are protected.
How Do Wildfires Start?
Wildfires often begin from downed power lines, faulty electrical equipment, unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, or sparks from construction activity. In many wildfire cases, negligent maintenance by utility companies or contractors plays a major role. Dry vegetation, high winds, and drought conditions are common across the western United States—especially in California, Texas, and Oregon—and can rapidly turn small ignition sources into massive fires. Nationwide, wildfire claims often involve identifying responsible parties and proving failure to follow safety standards or perform proper inspections.
Who Pays For Wildfire Damage?
- Utility companies
- Contractors (e.g., vegetation management, electrical line maintenance)
- Equipment manufacturers (e.g., faulty transformers, generators)
- Property owners (negligent burning, fireworks)
- Government agencies (failure to mitigate known risks)
- Logging companies
- Agricultural operations
- Construction crews
- Railroads (sparks from braking systems or tracks)
- Campgrounds or recreational facilities (unattended fires)
- Fireworks companies or event organizers
- Land management companies or HOAs
- Oil and gas companies (pipeline or flare accidents)
Wildfire: Utility Company Negligence
Many wildfire lawsuits stem from utility company negligence, including downed power lines, aging infrastructure, or poor vegetation management. In recent wildfire cases, companies like Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas have faced major liability under California law for failing to prevent ignition during high-risk weather. These negligent parties can be held responsible for wildfire damages and devastating losses suffered by property owners and other fire victims.
Wildfire: Construction Defect Claims
Some wildfire lawsuits involve construction defect claims, where faulty building materials or poor design contribute to the rapid spread of fire and increased property damage. Builders and developers may be negligent parties if they fail to meet fire safety codes or use materials that can’t withstand extreme heat. Our construction defect attorney team has helped many fire victims recover damages through skilled insurance negotiations and wildfire litigation.
Wildfire: Dangerous Products
Wildfires can be triggered or worsened by faulty equipment and unsafe consumer goods, leading to wildfire lawsuits against manufacturers. Our defective product lawyers represent wildfire victims harmed by generators, outdoor appliances, or other devices that malfunction and ignite surrounding vegetation. When a dangerous product causes wildfires to damage property or causes personal injuries, fire victims may be entitled to monetary compensation from the responsible manufacturer or distributor.
Are Wildfires Covered By Insurance?
Does Renters' Insurance Cover Wildfires?
Renters affected by wildfires often wonder if their insurance coverage applies to wildfire damage. Most standard policies do cover loss of personal property caused by fire, but insurance companies may delay, underpay, or deny valid claims for insurance coverage. The insurance lawyers at our wildfire law firm can help renters understand their rights under their insurance policy, challenge unfair denials, and pursue full and fair compensation for their losses.
Does Homeowners' Insurance Cover Wildfires?
Most homeowners’ policies include insurance coverage for wildfire damage, but insurance companies often dispute the value of property damage or deny claims altogether. Damaged property and other fire damage, like structural damage, lost personal property, and expenses related to temporary relocation, may be covered. Our homeowners’ insurance lawyer team can assist wildfire victims in navigating the claims process and can recover compensation when insurance companies act in bad faith.
Types of Wildfire Claims Our Wildfire Lawyers Handle
Wildfire Property Damage Claims
Wildfire property damage claims often involve extensive loss to homes, businesses, land, and personal property. Property owners may face challenges from insurance companies over coverage limits, exclusions, or delays in paying claims. A skilled property damage attorney can help wildfire victims recover compensation for damaged property, rebuilding costs, and other expenses related to recovery.
Wildfire Personal Injury Claims
Wildfire personal injury claims can involve burns, smoke inhalation, and long-term health effects such as respiratory issues or emotional distress. Many fire victims may be entitled to monetary compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering caused by fire damage. A wildfire attorney from our personal injury law firm can help file lawsuits to hold negligent parties accountable and guide wildfire victims through the legal process to recover damages.
Burn Injuries
Wildfires often result in severe burn injuries that require extensive medical treatment, surgeries, and long-term care. Victims may face significant medical expenses, emotional trauma, and lost income. Our burn injury attorneys have helped many fire victims file wildfire lawsuits against negligent parties—such as utility companies or product manufacturers—to pursue compensation for expenses related to the wildfire.
Toxic Exposure and Smoke Inhalation
Toxic exposure and smoke inhalation during wildfires can cause serious health issues, including respiratory damage, long-term illness, and emotional distress. Many fire victims exposed to hazardous air may be eligible to file wildfire lawsuits for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A wildfire attorney from our toxic exposure law firm can help identify negligent parties and pursue monetary compensation.
Claims For Injured Workers
Wildfire cleanup crews, utility company workers, and first responders may suffer serious injuries while working in hazardous conditions. These workers can file a workers’ compensation claim or pursue a personal injury lawsuit if negligent property owners or unsafe equipment contributed to the personal injury. A lawyer for injuries on the job can help injured utility company workers, first responders, firefighters, and other workers and their families recover damages for medical expenses, lost income, and long-term suffering.
Wildfire Wrongful Death Claims
Families who have lost loved ones killed in a wildfire may be entitled to file wrongful death claims against at-fault parties such as utility companies or property owners. A skilled fatal accident lawyer from our wildfire law firm can help establish wildfire liability, manage insurance company negotiations, and pursue wildfire litigation to seek justice. These cases aim to secure fair settlements that cover funeral costs, loss of income, and the emotional impact of the wrongful death on surviving family members.
Bad Faith Wildfire Insurance Claims
Insurance companies are legally required to honor the terms of your insurance policy, but many engage in delays, lowball offers, or outright denials after wildfire losses. This type of misconduct is known as bad faith and may entitle wildfire victims to additional compensation through wildfire litigation. A bad faith insurance lawyer can review your claim, identify violations, and hold the insurer accountable for failing to act in good faith.
Business Interruption Claims
Businesses affected by wildfires may face extended closures due to stay-at-home orders, damage to the surrounding landscape, or loss of utilities. These disruptions can lead to significant financial losses, sometimes totaling hundreds of millions across affected regions. A business interruption lawyer can help pursue wildfire lawsuits against insurance companies that deny or underpay claims. Through strategic wildfire litigation and experienced legal representation, we help our clients recover lost revenue and support the rebuilding process.
Commercial Property Damage Claims
Commercial property owners impacted by wildfires often face extensive commercial property damage, including structural loss and business disruption. Filing a commercial insurance claim can be complicated, especially when insurance companies dispute the extent of damaged property or deny valid insurance coverage under the business owner’s insurance policy. A commercial insurance claim lawyer can assist with these legal issues, pursue wildfire lawsuits to establish wildfire liability, and help many fire victims recover losses related to their business.
Environmental Contamination Claims
Wildfires can cause long-term environmental contamination, leaving soil, air, and water quality that is left unchanged for years. The human toll of exposure to toxic ash, smoke, and chemicals can result in serious health effects and property devaluation. Victims may have legal options to pursue wildfire litigation and file wildfire lawsuits against responsible parties. A property contamination lawyer can help evaluate claims and pursue compensation for environmental and property-related losses.
Mass Wildfire Litigation
The wildfire lawyer team at Reich & Binstock represents fire victims involved in mass wildfire litigation across the country, including the Southern California wildfire, Texas wildfire, Florida Keys wildfire, and South Carolina wildfire. Whether the lawsuit filed involves property damage, personal property, personal injuries, or wrongful death, our wildfire attorneys help clients explore their legal options through targeted wildfire lawsuits. From Southern California Edison wildfire lawsuits to widespread utility-related fires, we work to hold negligent companies and government entities accountable. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation to determine your eligibility and legal options.
When to File a Wildfire Lawsuit
A wildfire lawsuit should be filed as soon as possible after suffering property damage, personal injuries, or the wrongful death of a loved one. Fire victims must act quickly to preserve evidence and protect their legal rights, as each state has its own deadlines for filing claims. If your insurance company delays or denies your claim, or if a utility company or other liable party is involved, immediate action is critical. Our fire insurance claim attorney team offers free consultations to review your situation and advise when and how to proceed with wildfire litigation.
Recent Wildfires and Legal Options For Victims
South Carolina Wildfire Lawyer
Our South Carolina wildfire attorneys help victims pursue wildfire lawsuits for property and personal property damage, personal injuries, or wrongful death caused by negligence. Whether the fire was started by a utility company, defective equipment, or another liable party, our South Carolina wildfire lawyers work to establish wildfire liability and guide clients through their legal options. From handling claims with insurance companies to pursuing fair settlements for personal property loss and emotional distress, our South Carolina wildfire law firm offers legal representation on a contingency fee basis to help victims recover.
Altadena, Los Angeles, California Eaton Fire: California Wildfire Lawyer
Our California wildfire attorneys are currently reviewing claims related to the Eaton Fire, which devastated Altadena and other parts of Southern California. With Southern California Edison identified as a possible cause, and a long pattern of utility-related fires involving utility companies like Pacific Gas, California wildfire litigation continues to expose serious failures in fire prevention across the state. From the Dixie Fire to the McKinney Fire in Siskiyou County and blazes in El Dorado County, California wildfires have left behind extensive damage and legal questions. Under California law, many victims of the Southern California wildfire may be eligible to file a California wildfire lawsuit to recover losses. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, these fires represent one of the worst chapters in California history. A skilled California wildfire attorney can help guide victims through their legal options and pursue fair settlements from at-fault parties or insurance companies. Contact our California wildfire lawyers for a free consultation.
Florida Keys Brush Fires: Florida Wildfire Lawyer
The Florida wildfire lawyer team at Reich & Binstock is reviewing claims related to the Florida Keys brush fires, which caused widespread property losses, business disruption, and emotional distress. The Florida Keys fires, like others across the western United States, have left victims facing denied or delayed claims from insurance companies. Our law firm helps clients pursue wildfire lawsuits, determine liability, and recover fair settlements for personal property and related losses. If you sustained losses or were injured, contact a Florida wildfire attorney for a free legal consultation to explore your legal options under applicable wildfire litigation.
Smokehouse Creek Wildfire
The Smokehouse Creek Fire erupted on February 26, 2024, near Stinnett in the Texas Panhandle, rapidly escalating into the largest wildfire in Texas history and the second-largest in U.S. history. Fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, the Texas wildfire consumed over 1 million acres across Texas and Oklahoma, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damages before being fully contained on March 16, 2024. The blaze resulted in two wrongful deaths, the destruction of numerous homes, and significant agricultural losses, including thousands of cattle. Investigations identified downed power lines from a broken utility pole as the fire’s cause, leading to scrutiny of Texas utility company maintenance. If you’ve been affected, contact a Smokehouse Creek wildfire lawyer for a free case review.
Hermit's Peak Wildfire/Calf Canyon Wildfire
The Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire was the largest wildfire in New Mexico’s history, burning nearly 342,000 acres and destroying over 900 structures. The fire began as two separate incidents: the Hermit’s Peak Fire, ignited on April 6, 2022, by spot fires from a prescribed burn that escaped control, and the Calf Canyon Fire, which started on April 19, 2022, from a holdover fire related to a prescribed pile burn. These fires merged, leading to extensive evacuations and significant environmental damage. In response, the federal government enacted the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act, allocating $3.95 billion for compensation to affected individuals. Our Hermit’s Peak wildfire lawyers helped in this process.
Wildfire Attorney
Reich & Binstock has been handling wildfire lawsuits and disputes with insurance companies over fire damage for decades, helping property and business owners recover from devastating fire damage caused by negligent companies. From downed power lines to failures by major utility companies, our wildfire attorneys pursue justice through strategic wildfire litigation and negotiations with insurance companies. If you’ve suffered losses or sustained serious injuries tied to a recent wildfire, our experienced attorneys are prepared to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call 713-622-7271 for a free consultation.
There is never a fee unless we recover on your behalf.
Additionally, clients are not obligated to pay expenses if a recovery is not made.
