Information and Insights surrounding the Law and the Rights of Accident Victims and their Families
Information and Insights surrounding the Law and the Rights of Accident Victims and their Families
Price Gouging: What can you do to protect your community?
After disasters like the Eaton fire, communities rely on essential goods and services to recover—food, housing, medical supplies, and more. When businesses exploit these vulnerable times by inflating prices, it can have devastating consequences, particularly for those already struggling.
What is Price Gouging, and…
Renters harmed by the Maui Fires may find themselves feeling left behind. While homeowners have the ability to file real property claims with their insurance, renters who lost everything in a fire may feel they have nothing. However, Maui Fire renters do have recourse. They can bring claims against Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) which is…
As is typical after a wildfire, insurers are requiring survivors to submit detailed “personal property inventories” listing the property they lost in the Maui Wildfire before paying Lahaina homeowners the limits of their personal property coverage. Preparing the inventories can take hours or even days. Not surprisingly, many survivors find it traumatic to list all…
In times like these, survivors are grappling with the aftermath, and your compassion can make a difference in their lives. Often, finding clear guidance on how to assist can be frustrating, leading to moments of discouragement. Your willingness to offer concrete advice on navigating resources and offering a helping hand can significantly ease the burden…
There are things that Maui wildfire survivors can do right now to help make the recovery process easier. Once you and your loved ones are out of imminent danger, you should immediately contact your insurance company, make a plan for housing, track all expenses and insurance interactions, and prepare an inventory of your losses.
Looks as though Hawai’ian Electric Company is legally responsible for the Maui Wildfire. After all, it:
On October 31, 2022, the Fire Victim’s Trust announced an additional sale of 35 million shares in PG&E stock at $15.25 per share to provide compensation for victims of the 2015 Butte, 2017 North Bay, and 2018 Camp Fire. This news comes shortly after the Fire Victim’s Trust sold 35 million shares at $13.65 per…
After a “meticulous and thorough investigation,” Cal Fire concludes that the Dixie Fire was caused by a tree contacting PG&E’s electrical lines.
No surprise, given that PG&E all but admitted as much last July.
We can expect Cal Fire to now join the lawsuit we’ve filed on behalf of our Dixie clients, seeking to recover…
One of the first post-fire issues landowners face is property cleanup. Debris can include homes, vehicles, structures, personal property, chemicals, and toxins.
Debris cleanup also includes burnt trees. How and when to remove damaged trees is one of the most complicated situations an owner will have to deal with post-fire.
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FEMA aid is now available for Dixie Fire survivors. Aid can include money for temporary housing, for repairs, and for certain personal properly losses.
Deadline for registering is October 15.
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