If your family is impacted by a wildfire, you may be eligible for financial compensation from a utility company or another liable party for causing the fire. A wildfire claim lawyer will act as your advocate, guide and legal representative as you seek justice for the losses you suffered. The attorney you hire can play an important role in the final outcome of your case.
Wildfire Investigation
A wildfire attorney will start by organizing an investigation into the facts of the case and the cause of the fire. The attorney’s goal will be to determine and prove the cause of the wildfire. A utility company’s negligence or lack of proper care, for example, could have sparked a wildfire due to faulty powerlines or equipment, making the corporation liable.
Evidence Collection
Once the at-fault party is identified, the lawyer can preserve and collect evidence that proves liability. Your lawyer can interview eyewitnesses, speak with firefighters and first responders, hire experts, analyze burn patterns, use photographic and video evidence, access a utility company’s maintenance records, and search for other types of evidence to support your wildfire claim.
Expert Hiring
Wildfire claims tend to involve complex issues of fault, liability and negligence. Proving the cause of a wildfire often requires insights, diagrams, reports and testimony from relevant experts and specialists. An attorney can hire the right expert witnesses to strengthen your case. Examples include fire and arson investigators, fire behavior and pattern analysts, scientists, engineers, forestry specialists, property appraisers, and medical experts.
Damage Calculations
You may have suffered life-changing losses in a wildfire, but an insurance company is likely to try to downplay your claim and diminish your settlement to protect its own interests. An attorney can help you fight for a fair and full settlement by calculating the true value of your claim. Your lawyer can accurately assess the extent of your damages, including property losses, medical bills, lost wages, foreseeable losses, and pain and suffering.
Settlement Negotiation
Next, a wildfire claim lawyer can craft a strong legal strategy and aggressively negotiate with insurance adjusters for you to maximize your case results. An experienced lawyer will know what tactics to expect from an insurance company and how to combat them to protect your rights and interests. A lawyer can counter low settlement offers to prevent you from getting locked into an inadequate amount.
Wildfire Litigation
If a wildfire insurance claim is unsuccessful, with an insurance company that is refusing to cooperate or offer a reasonable settlement, a wildfire lawyer can handle litigation for you in court. Litigation means you and the defendant will present evidence and witnesses in court to prove your side of the case. Having an attorney represent you during a wildfire court case is integral, as this can be a lengthy and complex legal process.
A lawyer can use strong evidence and compelling narrative storytelling to express to a jury just how devastating and traumatic the wildfire was for you and your family. With the tools provided by your lawyer and a strong court presence, you can improve your odds of achieving a positive jury verdict and moving forward with the compensation you deserve.
To learn more about how an experienced California wildfire claim lawyer can help you, contact Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian for a free initial case evaluation.