Wildfire Material Gouging Lawyers
As wildfires continue to ravage Southern California, affected individuals are starting to think about rebuilding. Unfortunately, many sellers are getting ready to increase their prices and practice price gouging to ultimately take advantage of the situation. Price gouging, in general, is illegal any time that a State of Emergency is declared. If you were affected by wildfires and material gouging, it is important that you seek legal assistance as soon as possible. You could have the right to file a lawsuit.
For more information about the legal options available to you, do not hesitate to reach out to our wildfire materials gouging lawsuit attorneys as soon as possible. Here at the Downtown L.A. Law Group, we can help you! Our team has decades of experience and are more than ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to fight for your rights and get justice. If you are ready to explore the legal options available to you, contact us today.

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On January 7, 2025, multiple wildfires ignited. Because of the severe winds in the area, these wildfires quickly spread – threatening entire communities. The largest of these fires are the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire. As of January 14, 2025, the Palisades Fire has burned over 23,700 acres and is 17% contained; over 5,300 structures have burned, and at least 8 people have died. The Eaton Fire has burned over 14,000 acres and is 35% contained; over 7,000 structures have burned, and there have been at least 16 deaths. Unfortunately, entire neighborhoods were burned to the ground in both of these wildfires. A week after these wildfires started, the devastation is felt throughout all of Southern California.
What is Price Gouging?“Price gouging” refers to the action of significantly increasing the prices for essential goods and services during an emergency or after a disaster ultimately to take advantage of consumers. A number of goods and services can be subject to price gouging, including but not limited to food, medical supplies, housing, and building materials.
Is Price Gouging Considered Illegal?Yes, price gouging can be considered illegal in California. More specifically, California Penal Code Section 396 offers protections. The anti-price gouging statute prohibits raising the price of many consumer goods and services more than 10% after an emergency has been declared. For goods or services that only started to be offered after the declaration of emergency, the seller may not charge more than 50% over what it costs them to provide the item/service.
As mentioned, these protections apply when a state of emergency has been declared. Individuals who have the power to declare a state of emergency include the President, the Governor, and city or county Executive Officers.
Recently, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency due to the multiple fires affecting Southern California, including the Palisades Fire, the Eaton Fire, and more. In addition, he issued an executive order with the purpose to streamline the rebuilding of the homes and businesses destroyed in the fires.
More About Newsom’s Executive Order – On Sunday, January 12, 2025, Governor Newsom issued an executive order with the purpose of streamlining the rebuilding of both homes and businesses destroyed in the fires. Briefly put, the order suspends permitting/review requirements established under the California Environmental Quality Act and the California Coastal Act to essentially allow affected victims to rebuild or restore their homes/businesses faster. In addition, the executive order extends protections against price gouging on building materials and other goods/services (such as storage services, construction services, and more) until January of 2026 throughout all of Los Angeles County.
Is Price Gouging Building Materials Illegal?Yes, since the governor has declared a state of emergency and because of additional protections against price gouging under his latest executive order, the price gouging of building materials is illegal. Without a doubt, as the community starts rebuilding after the devastation caused by the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, and other wildfires, the demand for building material will increase.
Even with multiple protections put in place, it is likely that many sellers will try to take advantage of those affected by the fires by increasing prices on building materials.
Consider some of the following recommendations:
- Gather all relevant documents that show the price gouging (this may include receipts, order numbers, etc.)
- File a complaint with the District Attorney’s office or with the Attorney General
- Reach out to an experienced price gouging lawyer for information on your legal options (including your right to file a civil claim)
If you are ready to discuss the legal options available to you and your right to file a building materials price gouging lawsuit, contact us today. Our price gouging lawsuit lawyers understand how difficult these times are for you and your family – and for the entire community affected by the recent wildfires. We are committed to helping you during this difficult time as well as protecting your rights as a consumer. Whether you are ready to pursue a claim or you are looking for information on the legal options available to you, contact us at your earliest convenience.
Our firm offers free case evaluations, specifically free consultations and free second opinions. Whether you are beginning or continuing your claim, our team of price gouging lawsuit lawyers will be available to answer all your questions, address all your concerns, and provide you with all the information that you need to take action. To schedule a free case review, contact us today.
Zero-Fee Guarantee – you will never 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 never be responsible to pay anything out-of-pocket if your claim is not successful; if you do not win, you will not have to pay anything.
Contact us today for more information about the options available to you.
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