Wildfire Lawsuit

Understanding Wildfire Lawsuits

A wildfire lawsuit is filed by families or business owners who have suffered losses due to a wildfire caused by negligence. These claims are often brought against utility companies, property owners, or others who failed to take proper precautions to prevent the fire.

Compensation from a wildfire lawsuit can help with rebuilding costs, the replacement of lost possessions, and medical bills for injuries. By holding the negligent parties accountable, victims may also gain closure, helping them work toward a new beginning.

LawFirm.com partners with personal injury attorneys who have secured over $10 billion for those harmed through no fault of their own. They can help families in all 50 states and never charge any upfront fees.

Get a free case review now to see if a top wildfire attorney may be able to fight hard for everything you deserve.

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Eligibility for a Wildfire Lawsuit

You may be eligible to file a wildfire lawsuit if you suffered personal injuries or property damage, especially if the fire could have been prevented with proper care.

Wildfire claims can be filed by:

• Business owners who experienced a loss of income
• Individuals who lost their homes or property
• Residents who were forced to evacuate
• Victims who suffered injuries

Firefighters who’ve battled wildfires are at an increased risk of cancer, respiratory diseases, and other serious illnesses. They’re often sent into fires without masks or warnings about the hazards.

“We work, eat and rest in these toxic environments with little to no protection. Something must change.”

– Joe Perez, California firefighter with lung damage 

Families who lost a loved one in a wildfire may also be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. While no amount of money can ever ease the pain of losing a loved one, compensation can help cover funeral expenses, lost income, emotional distress, and more.

Key Wildfire Lawsuits in the U.S.

In recent years, wildfire lawsuits have gotten national attention for the amount of damage they have caused to individuals and communities in states across the country.

Fire claims often involve utility companies or large corporations, and they highlight the growing concerns about negligence and inadequate safety measures that frequently lead to these preventable catastrophes.

Below are some of the most significant wildfire lawsuits that have shaped the landscape of fire-related litigation in the United States.

California Wildfire Lawsuit

California has suffered multiple devastating wildfires, many of which have been linked to utility companies’ equipment failures and negligence.

California fire victims have sought justice through lawsuits, aiming to hold the at-fault parties accountable and get compensation for their losses.

Notable wildfires in California include:

• Camp Fire (2018): This fire burned 153,336 acres, destroying roughly 19,000 homes and killing at least 85 people. It’s the deadliest fire in California history.
• Dixie Fire (2021): Sparked by a tree that fell and hit equipment owned by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), this fire scorched over 463,000 acres in northern California, destroying thousands of homes and businesses in its path. A PG&E lawsuit settlement paid out $45 million in 2024.
• Eaton Fire (2025): This wildfire in Altadena destroyed over 7,000 structures. Eaton Fire lawsuits allege that Southern California Edison (SCE) caused the blaze, with evidence including videos showing sparks near power lines.
• Hurst Fire (2025): SCE admitted that its electrical equipment may be related to the blaze, which burned nearly 800 acres. Compensation from a Hurst fire lawsuit can help victims impacted by the fire.
• Palisades Fire (2025): Fueled by the Santa Ana winds, this wildfire burned more than 23,000 acres in Malibu and the Pacific Palisades and killed at least 8 people. Palisades fire damage affected over 6,800 homes and other structures.
• Woodley Fire (2025): This brush fire broke out in Los Angeles County as firefighters were battling blazes in Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
• Woolsey Fire (2018): SCE acknowledged its equipment’s role in igniting this wildfire, which destroyed 1,500 buildings and killed 3 people. An SCE lawsuit settlement awarded Los Angeles County $63 million.

Victims may be eligible for compensation from a wildfire lawsuit, as well as a portion of money from the $21 billion available in the California Wildfire Fund if the blaze was related to a utility’s negligence.

California wildfire attorneys can review the facts of your case, identify all potential avenues of compensation, and fight for the justice and money you deserve.

Colorado Wildfire Lawsuit

Colorado has seen an increase in wildfires in recent years. The largest wildfires include the Cameron Peak Fire, the East Troublesome Fire, and the Pine Gulch Fire. Altogether, these 2020 fires scorched over 541,000 acres, causing billions of dollars in damage.

The 2021 Marshall Fire caused the most property damage, destroying 1,084 homes, killing 2 people, and resulting in more than $500 million in damage.

Hawaii Wildfire Lawsuit

In 2023, a series of catastrophic wildfires broke out in Hawaii, mainly affecting Maui. Fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, the fires led to widespread destruction and forced evacuations.

The tragic incident claimed 102 lives and destroyed the historic town of Lahaina, along with hundreds of homes and businesses. Federal officials estimated the damages at $5.5 billion, with more than 2,200 buildings destroyed.

Compensation from a Maui wildfire lawsuit can help those impacted rebuild their lives. A Maui wildfire attorney can guide families through the legal process with as little added stress as possible.

Oregon Wildfire Lawsuit

The 2020 Oregon wildfires were among the most devastating in the state’s history, igniting over Labor Day weekend and burning more than 1 million acres across multiple counties.

These fires destroyed thousands of homes, displaced countless residents, and tragically claimed at least 11 lives. Investigations revealed that utility company PacifiCorp’s failure to shut off power lines during high-risk conditions contributed to several fires.

As a result, PacifiCorp faced multiple lawsuits and agreed to a $178 million wildfire lawsuit settlement with over 400 plaintiffs and a $250 million settlement with timber companies.

Texas Wildfire Lawsuit

The Smokehouse Creek Fire in Hutchinson County burned over 1 million acres, making it the largest wildfire event in the state’s history. The fire was sparked by a decayed utility pole that fell into a grassy area, according to a U.S. Forest Service investigation.

Utility company Xcel Energy admitted that its equipment was involved but disputed claims that it had acted negligently. The Forest Service also confirmed that power lines caused the Windy Deuce Fire, which affected over 144,000 acres in the Panhandle.

Wildfires in other states have also put innocent people in harm’s way. When utility companies fail to act responsibly, local residents end up paying the price.

How to File a Lawsuit for Wildfire Compensation

The wildfire attorneys in our network handle every aspect of the legal process, allowing you to focus on healing and caring for your family after such a traumatic event.

Here are the basic steps involved in filing a wildfire lawsuit:

1. Get a free case review: A wildfire attorney will evaluate your case to determine if you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. There’s never any upfront costs or hourly fees to work with our legal partners, so there’s no financial risk to take legal action.
2. Gather evidence: Your wildfire lawyer and their legal team will collect evidence to support your claim. This may include property damage records, insurance reports, fire origin data, witness testimonies, and any documentation linking the fire to negligence.
3. File your wildfire lawsuit: Using this evidence, your attorney will file a lawsuit against all responsible parties before any legal deadlines and demand maximum compensation.
4. Negotiate a settlement: Your team will work to negotiate a wildfire lawsuit settlement that fully compensates you for your property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, and more.
5. Represent you in court: In the rare event that a settlement is unable to be reached, your wildfire lawyers can present your case in court and seek compensation from a trial verdict.

A wildfire attorney understands the financial and emotional impact of an unexpected loss, so they strive to make the legal process as easy and stress-free as possible.

Wildfire Settlement Amounts

Wildfire lawsuit settlements vary based on the severity of the damage, the number of people affected, and the parties responsible.

Below are some notable settlements from recent wildfire cases:

• $178 million from utility Pacific Power to over 400 plaintiffs impacted by the Echo Mountain Complex Fire in Oregon
• $63 million from Southern California Edison for damages related to the Woolsey Fire
• $45 million from Pacific Gas and Electric for its role in the Dixie Fire
• $82.5 million from Southern California Edison for damages related to the Bobcat Fire in Angeles National Forest

These settlements highlight the consequences faced by utility companies in the aftermath of devastating wildfires. Victims of such disasters may be entitled to file a wildfire lawsuit for compensation, depending on the circumstances involved.

Get Help From a Wildfire Attorney

A wildfire can be devastating, leaving you wondering how you’ll ever get back on your feet. Wildfire recovery attorneys can help you navigate the legal process, hold negligent parties accountable, and pursue the compensation you deserve.

The personal injury lawyers that we work with have recovered over $10 billion for families nationwide. They never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees and can help wildfire victims in all 50 states.

A wildfire lawsuit can provide money for medical bills, rebuilding costs, basic living expenses, and more. While no amount of money can erase the damage done, it can make the road ahead easier.

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or get a free case review to see if you may be eligible for compensation from a wildfire lawsuit.