The Palisades wildfire was first reported around 10:30 am Tuesday, January 7, around 10:30 am in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles. The fire began in the 1100 block of North Piedra Morada Drive, and by Wednesday, January 8, had covered almost 12,000 acres and remained uncontained.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said at a news conference that an estimated 1,000 structures have been lost and a “high number” of individuals did not evacuate and have since suffered serious injuries.
There are no reported deaths yet due to this fire. Authorities are investigating to determine the cause.
The fire spread quickly due to extremely dry landscape conditions and intense Santa Ana wind gusts ranging from 40-60 mph. According to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, several evacuation orders, affecting about 37,000 residents, and evacuation warnings, affecting nearly 20,000 residents, have been sent out to the surrounding areas as the fire continues to spread. To learn about your legal options after you have been affected by the fire, contact us today.
Affected areas under evacuation order include:
- DRY-U026-A
- LOS-Q0767
- MAL-C111-A
- MAL-C111-B
- MAL-C112-B
- MTN-U028
- RMB-U030-A
- RMB-U030-B
- RMB-U030-D
- RMB-U030-E
- RRC-U027
- SAN-Q1388-B
- SAN-Q1395-B
- SAN-Q1396-B
- SDP-U029
- SSM-U010-A
- SSM-U010-B
- TOP-U001
- TOP-U002
- TOP-U003
- TOP-U004
- TOP-U005
- TOP-U006
- TOP-U007
- TOP-U008
- TOP-U009
A full list of areas under evacuation orders and warnings can be found on the CalFire Palisades Fire incident update page.
If you’ve been affected by the Palisades fire, Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian may be able to help you file a claim to obtain the compensation you deserve. Our team has extensive experience handling wildfire claims and dealing with insurance companies and we will work tirelessly to get the most possible compensation for the damages you suffered. Call us today at (949) 831-6611 to schedule your free consultation.
Why Choose Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian to Handle Your Palisades Wildfire Claim
When you are facing the devastating losses that wildfires cause, you need an experienced attorney on your side to fight for your right to fair compensation. When you choose Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian you get:
- A Track Record of Success – our California wildfire litigation team has represented over 10,000 wildfire victims in Southern and Northern California, and have obtained millions of dollars in compensation for past clients.
- Experienced Trial Attorneys – our partners have over 75 years of collective courtroom and litigation experience, which allows us to work efficiently to maximize results for our clients.
- A Team That Cares – we understand how difficult it is to face the aftermath of a wildfire, especially when you’ve suffered drastic losses, we will take the time to hear your story, understand your needs and goals, and tailor our services to best meet your needs.
Obtaining Compensation After Wildfire Loss
The official cause of the Palisades fire has yet to be determined, however, some victims may seek compensation from parties such as:
- Utility companies – if their equipment, such as powerlines or transformers, contributed to starting the fire due to negligence, lack of maintenance, or failure to address known safety risks.
- Landowners or property managers – if hazardous conditions on their property, such as dead vegetation or improperly stored flammable materials, contributed to the fire’s spark or spread.
It is important to note that your insurance policy may cover some of the damages you’ve suffered, but it may not cover the full extent. Victims may be eligible to file claims through their insurance company, and depending on their coverage, may be eligible for compensation for wildfire-related losses such as:
- Property damage
- Evacuation costs
- Temporary living expenses
- Wrongful death
- And more
It is important to note that after a wildfire, your insurance company may act in bad faith, causing unnecessary delay in your receiving the compensation they rightfully owe you. If your insurance company:
- Unreasonably denies a claim
- Unjustifiably denies a claim
- Fails to properly investigate a claim
- Offers you a significantly lower amount than should be offered
- Refuses to communicate with you, the policyholder, about your claim
- Fails to explain why a claim was denied
Then you may have an insurance bad faith claim.
An experienced attorney will know and understand how to navigate filing an insurance claim after a wildfire and will help you navigate any hurdles thereafter. If your insurance is acting in bad faith, your attorney will help you fight to hold them accountable.
Call Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian Today
If you have been affected by the Palisades Wildfire in Los Angeles County, call Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian today to learn more about your options. We understand the difficulties you are facing and will fight fiercely to protect your rights. Call us at (949) 401-7688 or contact us online to schedule your consultation.