Sacramento Wildfire Loss Attorney

California residents must acknowledge the dangers of wildfires in the state. California’s dry climate and high temperatures make most areas of the state highly susceptible to wildfires. Many state laws exist with the intent to prevent wildfires and limit their destructiveness. When wildfires damage homes and businesses, those affected should know their options for recovery. In most cases, affected individuals will need to rely on insurance coverage, but there may be opportunities for other legal actions if a specific person or party caused a wildfire, either intentionally or through negligence.

Wildfires can destroy lives and homes in mere minutes and those fleeing wildfires may not be able to take anything but the bare essentials with them. The Sacramento wildfire loss lawyers at Rosenthal Law have more than 25 years of experience handling civil claims in Sacramento and we want potential clients to know their options for legal recourse after a California wildfire.

Does Insurance Cover Wildfires in California?

It’s crucial to fully understand an insurance policy before purchasing it. Most insurance companies tailor their coverage options by area. For example, a homeowner in New Mexico may not have much reason to worry about flood insurance but wildfire coverage would be a very good idea instead. When a person purchases homeowners’ insurance, renters’ insurance, or any other insurance coverage, he or she must take the time to discern exactly what the policy covers and how much coverage it provides.

At first glance, you may think that your insurance coverage includes fire protection but upon closer inspection, this coverage may only apply to interior fires from cooking mishaps or defective appliances. Pay close attention to the wording of an insurance policy and look for any disclaimers or special clauses that dictate when and how coverage applies. Many California insurance companies only offer limited options for wildfire coverage due to the higher than average chance of wildfires happening in California.

If your insurance policy clearly covers wildfire damage but your insurer refuses to honor the policy or only offers a lower settlement amount than you need, you may have grounds for legal action against your insurer and should speak with a Sacramento personal injury lawyer. All insurance carriers must process claims in good faith and unjustifiably denying a claim, delaying a claim, or reducing a settlement amount would constitute grounds for a bad faith lawsuit against the insurer.

Intentional Torts and Civil Claims

If a wildfire breaks out due to the intentional or negligent actions of a particular person or party, then anyone affected may have grounds for legal action against the responsible parties. For example, a utility company that fails to perform adequate safety checks or fails to uphold required safety standards may unintentionally cause an explosion or fire that escalates into a large conflagration.

Kids with fireworks may also cause wildfires if they launch them in dry areas vulnerable to wildfires. When intentional torts like arson or illegal fireworks use cause wildfires, victims can file civil claims against those responsible. Those parties would also likely face criminal prosecution from the state. Learn more about these types of cases by consulting a Sacramento wildfire loss lawyer at Rosenthal Law.

Discuss Your Claim with a Wildfire Loss Attorney in Sacramento

If you or a loved one recently lost everything to a California wildfire and don’t know what to do next, a lawyer can help you make sense of your options, handle insurance companies, and help build a strong case against a criminal or negligent party. Even if your insurance covers wildfire damage, it may not fully cover your damages so additional legal action may be necessary to recover.

The attorneys at Rosenthal Law understand how difficult it can be to pick up the pieces after a California wildfire. Our Sacramento wildfire loss lawyers have extensive experience with civil actions in California and the resources necessary to maximize compensation for our clients in every case. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our attorneys and we can let you know how we can help.