Palisades Fire Smoke and Ash Claims

In addition to the Palisades Fire, there are multiple other fires in the area that ignited due to the severe wind conditions. So far, five people have been killed due to these fires and over 80,000 people are under mandatory evacuation orders.

Current fires include the following:

• Palisades Fire (15,800 acres burned)
• Eaton Fire (10,600 acres burned)
• Hurst Fire (505 acres burned)
• Woodley Fire (30 acres burned)

Ash and smoke from wildfires can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles. This is based on the altitude that the smoke from the fire reaches, weather patterns (specifically wind), and the size and intensity of the fire. Without a doubt, exposure to smoke and ash could lead to health issues, including but not limited to the following: irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat; coughing and wheezing; difficulty breathing; respiratory distress, in general. Because the smoke and ash severely impacts air quality, sensitive groups, including individuals with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory health issues are at highest risk of suffering symptoms, although anyone could suffer symptoms due to exposure to wildfire smoke and ash. In addition, smoke and ash could expose people to carcinogens and other dangerous toxins.

It is important to highlight that smoke and ash from wildfires can lead to extensive property damage. The small particles from smoke and ash can cause devastating damage. Smoke and ash could potentially lead to some of the following property damage:

• Corrosion of metal surfaces (including wires and other electrical components)
• Damage to clothing, furniture, curtains, and anything fabric
• Damage to HVAC systems (ash may clog filters and pumps)
• Damage to outdoor areas, including soil, gardens, plants, shrubs, and trees
• Damage to personal property, including photos, family heirlooms, etc.
• Damage to pipes and plumbing systems
• Damage to vehicle exteriors (paint)
• Damage to water filters and water pumps in hot tubs and tubs
• Discoloration on walls, ceilings, floors, and other surfaces
• Lasting odors in homes and vehicles

Yes, you could have grounds to file a lawsuit for damage resulting from smoke and ash from the Palisades wildfire or any other wildfire. You could have the right to file a lawsuit with your homeowner’s insurance company given that you have coverage. In general, homeowner’s insurance policies include coverage for dwelling, detached structures, lost personal property, and relocation costs during repairs, for example. Therefore, if your home or any other personal property were damaged by smoke and ash, your insurance should provide coverage. Unfortunately, many people who file insurance claims will not get good news. This is because insurance companies are likely to unfairly deny claims or make the process very difficult in attempts to get individuals to withdraw their claims. If this occurs, affected individuals could have grounds to file an insurance bad faith claim – which is essentially a lawsuit against the insurance company for failing to handle claims fairly or, in other words, for breach of contract.

What claim can I file if the fire was caused by a negligent entity? This is a very important question – especially since there are reports that the situation was exasperated by the lack of water and lack of water pressure in fire hydrants in the area where the Palisades Fire scorched. The situation points to the failures of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) which is the local utility company responsible for ensuring that there is enough water supply for hydrants and that hydrants have enough water pressure. Because of this, those affected by the Palisades Fire may have grounds to file lawsuits against LADWP (including LADWP class action lawsuits).

For more information about filing a Palisades Fire smoke and ash claim, please do not hesitate to reach out our legal team as soon as possible.

• Take photos and videos of all visible damage to your home and other personal property before there are any clean-up attempts
• Speak to witnesses and collect their contact information (this may include neighbors that suffered similar damages as a result of the smoke and ash from the wildfire)
• Contact your insurance company and provide them with the facts
• If your insurance company unfairly denies your claim, gather all relevant documents and contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible
• Review any deadlines that may apply to your claim(s) to ensure that you file on time and do not risk losing your right to sue

Although every claim is different, you could potentially be eligible to recover compensation for property damage, pain and suffering, punitive damages, and more. Ultimately, what you are eligible to receive will be based on the facts surrounding your claim. For an in-depth review of the possible value of your Palisades Fire smoke and ash claim, contact us today.

If you are looking for information regarding your legal options or your right to file a claim for smoke and ash damage resulting from the Palisades Fire or another nearby fire, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team as soon as possible. Our lawyers have decades of experience and are fully committed to provide you with the guidance that you need to fight for your rights and recover the highest payout available for your claim.

Free Case Evaluations: we offer free case reviews, which include free consultations and free second opinions. Whether you are looking to start or continue your claim, our smoke and ash lawsuit attorneys will be available to answer all your questions, address all your concerns, and provide you with all the information necessary to pursue your claim.

Zero-Fee Guarantee: you will not be required to pay any upfront legal costs for any of our legal services. In addition, our law firm works on a strict contingency structure, meaning that you will not be responsible for paying any legal costs if your claim is unsuccessful. If you do not win, you simply will not have to cover any legal fees whatsoever.

Contact us today for more information about the legal options available to you after the Palisades Fire.

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Palisades Fire Property Damage Lawsuit Attorney