Compensation for Wildfire Victims

As the west coast continues to blaze on from a series of wildfires that began this summer, residents who have suffered damages are seeking refuge. While many have been evacuated and are now homeless, some have even suffered wrongful death and are seeking legal help. In any situation, recovering from the aftermath of a wildfire is both complex and exhausting. 

As reported by newspapers in Salt Lake City, these western fires have even impacted residents hundreds of miles away. In August, Utah skies were covered by a thick layer of smoke, but that effect pales in comparison to what many are facing. 

Luckily, homeowner’s insurance is usually able to provide aid to wildfire victims. Although they can’t make up for the wrongful death of a loved one or priceless memories lost forever, insurance companies generally offer monetary compensation to help victims get back on their feet. 

Find Law, a website dedicated to helping people seeking legal aid from Salt Lake City or elsewhere, points out that sometimes compensation from an insurance company isn’t enough. 

“When a fire is found to be started by human causes—either…on purpose or through negligence—a…litigator will advocate for victims of the blaze, seeking recovery for emotional injury as well as for property damage.” Charges made could include anything from wrongful death to personal injury.

Such was the case with Patricia A. Martin earlier this year. A wildfire that occurred in Salt Lake City three years’ prior had caused the death of her brother. Martin hired a lawyer in June of 2015 and filed a suit against Rocky Mountain Power, claiming “the company failed to fix a safety violation that left a transmission line too close to a power pole,” as reported by Deseret News. 

In other situations, wildfire victims have been known to hire a lawyer and bring charges against insurance companies. As reported by the Coloradan, last year nearly 200 survivors sued over 100 insurance agencies after a wildfire. Victims claimed the agencies “had conspired to defraud those who lost property.” 

To avoid hang-ups, Find Law counsels wildfire victims to safeguard property remains, document everything and file a claim right away.

Unfortunately, wildfires will continue to strike desert areas like Salt Lake City and other parts of the west. Many will continue to suffer effects such as property loss and wrongful death. However, with an honest lawyer and a trustworthy insurance company, victims should be able to recover damages lost. 

Emily Culp is a legal writer reporter for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Robert J Debry. Follow on Twitter