We extend our sincerest consolations to all who have been affected by the Paradise Camp Fire. Our communities have suffered a grave tragedy, and we are all doing our best to recover from the deadliest fire in California history. Many people in Paradise and the surrounding areas lost their lives, homes, and possessions. Some of our very own staff members have been significantly affected by the devastation the fires caused. Our firm has a personal and vested interest in making sure those affected by this great catastrophe are provided the justice they deserve.
It has been widely reported that Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) may be largely at-fault for the Paradise Camp Fire. Insurance companies have sought $20 billion from PG&E after paying out billions to wildfire victims. PG&E has agreed to pay $11 billion in order to resolve most insurance claims from both the Camp Fire in 2018 and the wine country fires in 2017.
Significant devastation as a result of the Camp Fire
More than 153,300 acres of land burned in the 2018 Paradise Camp Fire. For reference, that’s nearly 240 square miles. Over 18,800 structures were destroyed, including about 14,000 residences and 530 commercial buildings. The rest were minor structures. At least 17 people were seriously injured, and no less than 88 people lost their lives. The damage as a result of the fires totals at $16.5 billion, and roughly $4 billion of that amount wasn’t insured.
Paradise residents saw a spike in insurance rates between 2015 and 2018. In 2018, roughly 6,000 homeowners in Butte County were forced to look for new policies when their insurers decided not to renew their plans. Insurance companies have been following a trend of increasing rates in rural, high-risk areas all around the state in order to reduce their pay-out costs following a natural disaster. Wildfires cause colossal destruction, which is quite costly for insurers.
Research firm Marshall & Swift/Boeckh found that roughly 60% of homeowners around the country are underinsured by about 17% of the cost of their home. Surveys have determined that over half of fire victims are consistently underinsured. That means they will most likely discover they’re unable to rebuild their homes without also digging into their own bank accounts.
Unfortunately, due to the high-volume and high-expense nature of these claims, it is not uncommon for Paradise Camp Fire insurance claims to be delayed or denied. Victims shouldn’t have to deal with insurance issues while actively recovering from the trauma endured due to the fires. That’s where we can help.
Personal injuries as a result of the fires
If you sustained any injuries—large or small—from the Paradise Camp Fire, you may be entitled to compensation and should act quickly to recoup your monetary losses. If you or someone you know experienced any of the following as a result of the Paradise Camp Fire, it would be wise to seek legal assistance:
Medical costs
Emotional anguish
Disability
Wrongful death
Wildfire property damage
If any of your property listed below was affected by the Paradise Camp Fire, you may be owed reimbursement:
Loss of trees or vegetation
Vehicle loss
Land value loss
Home destruction or loss
Personal belongings damage or loss
Commercial building damage
Life after the fires
We provide aggressive representation in the courtroom in order to achieve maximum success for our clients. We build a sturdy and all-encompassing case to provide you with the very best legal representation. Unlike some other firms, we are available to you 24/7 so that you know you always have someone on your side.
Contact the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley today at (530) 413-0245 to speak with an attorney about your Paradise Camp Fire case.