A wildfire can cause devastating and catastrophic losses in a matter of moments. In the aftermath of the blaze, it can be invaluable to have the right CA wildfire attorney looking out for your best interests and protecting your rights. Consider certain things when selecting your lawyer to improve your odds of a successful claim or lawsuit and a better legal experience.
The Degree of Your Losses
While it is always a good idea to use a free consultation to discuss your wildfire claim with an attorney, it is especially important to reach out to a lawyer if you sustain significant losses. If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury, you lost high-value personal belongings, or your home or business burned down, you may need to hire an attorney to get the case value you deserve.
A wildfire attorney can take over settlement negotiations with an insurance claims adjuster for you to fight for the amount you truly deserve using aggressive legal strategies. Your attorney will calculate your settlement based on the extent of your losses and the price of damaged personal belongings. If necessary, a wildfire litigator will also be able to take your case to trial in California to achieve maximum compensation.
The Complexity of Your Claim
Some wildfire cases in California are more complicated than others. If an investigation determines that a utility company is likely responsible for causing a wildfire due to poor electric pole or powerline maintenance, for instance, you may have to prove negligence.
Wildfire cases that involve a damaged business, catastrophic injuries, permanent scarring or disfigurement, the wrongful death of a loved one, defective products, utility companies, or multiple defendants may all require the oversight of a skilled attorney. A lawyer can navigate your complex claim with a strategic and tailored legal approach.
Choosing the Right Attorney
If your wildfire claim could benefit from hiring an attorney to represent you, your next step is to find the right one for you and your needs. Start by verifying a prospective attorney’s experience with wildfire cases, ideally with a history of achieving positive results in this practice area. This will ensure the lawyer has the knowledge and ability to navigate the complicated legal issues or challenges connected to your individual wildfire claim.
The attorney you choose should have specific knowledge of your types of wildfire losses or injuries, such as the long-term health complications and medical needs related to serious burns. The right legal experience at the law firm will demonstrate that your attorney has what it takes to secure the best possible case outcome when results matter most, such as in a high-stakes case.
The Cost of Hiring the Attorney
You may already be facing enough of a financial struggle when recovering from a wildfire in California without the added burden of expensive legal fees. Consider the cost of hiring an attorney to represent you before you sign a contract. It can help to choose a wildfire lawyer who operates on a contingency fee payment basis to protect yourself from any financial risk associated with your claim. Contingency fees mean you won’t pay the attorney anything unless your wildfire case results in financial compensation.