 | Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers is no longer actively retaining Dixie Fire victims. |
|---|
The Dixie fire, which burned for more than 100 days and is considered the second-largest fire in California’s history, burned more than 1,000,000 acres. If your property was destroyed or damaged in the Dixie fire, or you were forced to evacuate due to the Dixie fire, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Holding the liable party accountable can help you get justice.
However, that begs the question, who is responsible for the Dixie fire? Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) is responsible for causing the Dixie fire. Your Dixie fire attorney at Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers can help you recover the damages that are rightfully yours. Call today to learn more about how you can make the liable party pay.
PG&E Found Liable for the Dixie Fire
The Dixie fire destroyed more than 1,300 homes, and according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the Dixie fire began when a tree fell on PG&E’s electrical distribution lines. Blown fuses caused the tree to ignite west of a dam in Plumas County.
Injury victims and those who suffered property damages because of the Dixie fire may be able to file fire damage insurance claims or lawsuits against PG&E. If you are interested in exploring your legal options going forward, you can reach out to our office to discuss the details of your case.
Legal Options for Dixie Fire Victims
There are several ways in which you could recover compensation for your damages after the Dixie fire. This includes filing a claim with the insurance company and bringing your case to court.
Although going through a difficult negotiations and litigation process may be overwhelming, with the right legal advocate on your side, you can focus on recuperating and rebuilding your life while we handle the legal details of your case.
Here’s more about what you need to know when filing a fire damage insurance claim and bringing your case before a judge.
Filing a Fire Damage Insurance Claim
If you purchased homeowner’s insurance, renters’ insurance, business insurance, automobile insurance or general liability insurance, you may be able to file a claim for damage due to the Dixie fire.
However, do not expect the insurance company to settle your claim fairly. Since there are thousands of fire damage claimants pursuing cases, the insurance company will be looking for every opportunity they can find to reduce their profit loss.
Remember, they will lose money by paying out on your claims. Fortunately, your attorney will be by your side, advocating for your right to fair compensation. There are several ways in which the insurance company may attempt to take advantage of you. Some of the more common include:
- Delaying the processing of your claim
- Making you an insultingly low offer
- Placing blame on you for the damages
- Denying your claim and bad faith
Filing a Lawsuit Against PG&E
You may be able to file a lawsuit against PG&E due to their negligent actions regarding the Dixie fire. Not only did PG&E fail to shut off the power after being alerted that the Dixie fire had started, but their continued use of defective and malfunctioning electrical equipment has been responsible for several wildfires over the years.
You may be entitled to financial compensation for your damages. In filing a lawsuit against PG&E, you may be able to do your part to not only recover compensation for your damages but to hold PG&E responsible for their negligence.
Only continued actions against PG&E will help reduce the number of wildfires and wildfire-related damages and injuries caused by their recklessness.
What Damages Can You Recover?
If you pursue a lawsuit against PG&E, you may be able to recover compensation for all the ways your life has been affected by your injuries. This does not just include economic damages. You can also get compensation for non-economic damages.
Economic damages are monetary, while non-economic damages will need to be quantified, as they describe how your life has been affected by the wildfire. Some of the more common types of damages awarded in personal injury and wildfire claims include:
- Compensation for property damages
- Evacuation costs
- Medical expenses and equipment fees
- Future medical care
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of income
- Loss of potential future earnings
- Costs of increased insurance premiums
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
You can find out more about how much your Dixie fire claim is worth when you contact our office to discuss your damages further.
Do You Have Grounds for a Claim?
It may not be clear whether you have grounds for a Dixie fire claim. However, if you consider how your life has been affected by your injuries and the severity of the injuries you sustained, you may have a better idea of whether to pursue your case.
Some of the more common types of injuries connected to the Dixie fire include:
- Respiratory and lung damages
- Soot inhalation
- Smoke inhalation
- Explosion injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Third-degree burns
- Soft tissue injuries
- Infections leading to sepsis
If you suffered another type of injury that was not listed above, or if your family did not suffer injuries but instead endured substantial property damages because of the Dixie fire, you may have grounds for financial compensation. Explore your legal options in greater detail during your free consultation.
Statute of Limitations for Dixie Fire Lawsuits
A Dixie fire case has a statute of limitations of two years. The personal injury statute of limitations will expire two years from the date the fire started in most cases.
However, if your property damage did not occur until a later date, the statute of limitations may be extended to two years from the date of your property damages. If you did not learn of damages until a later date, the statute of limitations may again be extended.
For this reason, it is important to get a Dixie fire attorney on your side who can ensure the statute of limitations does not limit your ability to get the most out of your case.
Contact a Dixie Fire Attorney for Legal Support Today
Did you suffer catastrophic losses in the California Dixie fire? Our wildfire attorneys can help you hold PG&E accountable for their recklessness. We work on contingency, so you don’t have to worry about paying any out-of-pocket costs unless or until we win your case.
Get your no-cost, risk-free consultation with a team member at Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers by calling our office or filling out our quick contact form.
