Dixie Fire Lawsuit | Attorney (530) 325-8828
The Dixie Fire started burning Northern California on July 13, 2021. By Sept. 1, the fire had burned more than 840,000 square acres, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes. The Dixie Fire has since become the largest single-source wildfire in California history. It is the state’s second-largest fire overall.
Help is available for those affected by the Dixie Fire. Survivors may be eligible for a lawsuit against Pacific Gas & Electric. The utility provider’s equipment may be responsible for the fire. PG&E appeared to admit responsibility in its preliminary investigation.
Why hire Matthews & Associates for a Dixie Fire Lawsuit?
- Our attorneys have more than 100 years of combined legal experience. They have represented thousands of clients in their claims against negligent corporations.
- We represent clients in every state, including California, where we maintain two offices.
- Our firm maintains open lines of communication with our clients from consultation to settlement. You will always be able to ask questions and receive important case updates from a qualified wildfire attorney.
Free Legal Consultation
For a free legal consultation, email us or call (530) 325-8828.
Dixie Fire burns more than 844,000 acres
How Can a Dixie Fire Lawyer Help?
Witnessing and surviving a wildfire can be tragic, overwhelming, and frightening. Survivors may be without a home, physically injured, unable to attend work, and struggling with financial and emotional hardships. It can be difficult to focus on daily tasks, much less find the energy to file a lawsuit.
In these situations, you want a lawyer on your side. Matthews & Associates lawyers can help you fight for your rights. There are several reasons to hire our law firm to pursue a Dixie Fire lawsuit. They include:
- Our attorneys have extensive experience representing injured plaintiffs, and we work with many other California wildfire survivors. Our knowledge, resources, and experience can help support your claim.
- Our lawyers can analyze your case and identify all possible avenues of compensation. We can then create an accurate estimate of a potential settlement and use it to ensure that you obtain the compensation you deserve.
- Our Dixie Fire lawsuit attorneys are familiar with the litigation process. They can guide you through each stage of your claim, answer your questions, and provide important updates.
- Our experienced lawyers understand the emotional complexities of your case. They can provide you with the compassion, support, and strength you need throughout the legal process, and fight in the courts to secure the compensation you deserve.
What Caused the Dixie Fire?
PG&E is the utility responsible for maintaining power lines, grids, and other pieces of equipment for communities throughout Northern California. That includes the affected counties of Butte, Plumas, Tehama, and Lassen. The exact cause of the Dixie Fire is yet to be determined, but a preliminary statement from PG&E suggests the company’s equipment may have sparked the fire.
According to an electrical incident report to the California Public Utilities Commission, a PG&E worker was called to inspect a power outage at Cresta Dam on the morning of July 13. At the incident site, the worker noted that a power line had two blown fuses and that a tree was leaning into PG&E equipment nearby. He also noted that a brush fire had started on the ground near the base of the leaning tree.
Response efforts to the fire were delayed for several hours, while high winds and dry vegetation caused the fire to spread across the affected area. The fire burned thousands of acres, destroying homes throughout the area. Entire towns have been destroyed by the fire, including Greenville in Plumas County, a small town north of Sacramento that was destroyed by the Dixie Fire in less than two hours.
Can I File a Lawsuit for the Dixie Fire?
If you lost property, were physically injured, or suffered any type of harm due to the Dixie Fire, you may have grounds for legal action. Although investigations are ongoing, preliminary reports (as of August 27) suggest PG&E power equipment caused the Dixie fire. You may be eligible to file a lawsuit against PG&E and other parties that may be responsible for this event.
Utility companies have a responsibility to maintain and monitor their equipment, including power lines; PG&E failed to take these actions, which led to the destructive wildfire. Consequently, PG&E is likely liable for any damages that people have suffered due to the Dixie Fire.
To prove your wildfire lawsuit against PG&E, you will need to show that PG&E was responsible for the event and the damages you sustained. The Dixie Fire attorneys at Matthews & Associates can help.
What Damages are Available for Dixie Fire Victims?
Through a Dixie Fire lawsuit, an experienced lawyer can help you recover compensation related to the economic and non-economic losses you suffered. Economic damages involve your tangible financial losses, such as the destruction of personal property. Non-economic damages involve physical and emotional pain and suffering.
Common examples of damages available to Dixie Fire victims include:
- Property repairs and replacement
- Past and future medical expenses
- Disability accommodations
- Chronic pain, disfigurement, and scarring
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of love, care, and companionship
- Depression and anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Loss of quality of life
Filing an Insurance Claim After the Dixie Fire
If you have homeowner’s insurance, you may consider filing a claim to recover compensation for losses related to the Dixie Fire. Many insurance policies do provide coverage for fires and other natural disasters. However, many wildfire survivors struggle to obtain adequate compensation for their claims.
Wildfires often result in damages that exceed insurance policy limits. In some cases, insurers may engage in bad faith to avoid paying for such extensive losses. If you believe that your insurance company has acted in bad faith and is not paying the compensation you deserve, speak to a Dixie Fire lawyer at Matthews & Associates. Our attorneys can help identify your best path to recovery.
Free Consultation with a Dixie Fire Lawsuit Attorney
If you have been harmed by the Dixie Fire, the lawyers at Matthews & Associates may be able to help. Email us now for a free legal case consultation or call 530-325-8828.
