Meet Our Wildfire Attorneys

Each year, wildfires displace thousands of families, forcing them to evacuate their homes with little to no notice. For many, the financial toll of such displacement is staggering—hotel stays, meals, transportation, and missed work can quickly add up. 

However, there are legal grounds for compensation in many wildfire cases, giving victims a chance to recover the needs they require to move forward with their lives.

Evacuation lawsuits typically involve claims related to:

• Temporary housing: If you were forced to flee your home due to wildfire, you may be entitled to reimbursement for hotel costs or short-term rentals.
• Relocation expenses: Costs associated with temporary or permanent relocation, such as transportation, storage fees, or furnishings for a new home, can be included in your claim.
• Lost income: If you were unable to work due to evacuation orders, road closures, or damage to your place of employment, you may have grounds to recover lost wages.

Displacement-related lawsuits are not limited to just homeowners. Anyone who was forced to evacuate due to a wildfire, whether they owned property or not, may be eligible to file a wildfire evacuation claim. Here's who typically qualifies:

Homeowners

If your primary residence was within a mandatory or voluntary evacuation zone, you may have a claim for:

• Temporary housing expenses
• Lost use of your home
• Relocation costs
• Property damage
• Emotional distress

Even if your home wasn’t physically damaged by flames, evacuation-related costs and stress may still be compensable.

Renters

Tenants who were displaced from rental properties can also pursue compensation for:

• Hotel stays or other temporary housing
• Lost wages due to missed work
• Damaged or destroyed personal property
• Mental anguish from the evacuation

Importantly, renters do not need to own the property to seek compensation for losses caused by evacuation or poor utility infrastructure.

Business Owners

If your business was forced to close or relocate due to a wildfire evacuation, you may be eligible to recover:

• Lost profits
• Relocation and cleanup costs
• Equipment or inventory loss
• Extra expenses to resume operations
  
   

Workers Affected by Evacuation

Employees who lost income due to evacuation orders or business closures may have claims for:

• Lost wages
• Missed shifts or canceled contracts
• Loss of freelance or gig work income
  
   

Undocumented Individuals

Legal status does not necessarily impact your right to seek compensation. If you experienced harm or financial loss due to wildfire evacuation, you may still have a valid claim.

People Without Insurance

You don’t need insurance to file a lawsuit. If a utility company or other third party is found negligent in causing the wildfire, you may be entitled to compensation through legal action.

If you've had to evacuate, even if your property wasn't damaged, it’s worth speaking to an attorney. At Morgan & Morgan, we can help evaluate your situation and determine if you qualify for compensation related to displacement, stress, financial hardship, and more.

Liability in wildfire evacuation claim lawsuits depends on the cause of the fire, the party (or parties) responsible for preventing it, and the specific damages suffered by those displaced. 

Here are the most common parties that may be held liable in these types of lawsuits:

Utility Companies

In many wildfires, utility companies like PG&E have been found responsible due to:

• Failing to maintain or repair power lines
• Not trimming vegetation near equipment
• Ignoring high-risk weather warnings

PG&E has paid billions in settlements for wildfires it caused, including the devastating Camp Fire in 2018, which destroyed the town of Paradise and forced widespread evacuations.

If a utility company’s negligence sparks a wildfire, they may be liable for:

• Property loss
• Evacuation costs
• Lost income
• Emotional distress
• Wrongful death
  
   

Government Agencies

Government entities may be held partially liable when they:

• Fail to issue timely evacuation orders
• Neglect fire mitigation responsibilities
• Don’t maintain firebreaks or access roads

However, lawsuits against government agencies can be more complex due to sovereign immunity laws. Still, in some situations, especially when gross negligence is involved, these claims may succeed.

Private Landowners or Corporations

The property owner or business may be held liable when wildfires start on private land due to:

• Unsafe burns
• Poor land management
• Equipment sparks or construction accidents

This includes contractors or corporations that fail to manage risk while operating heavy machinery in dry conditions.

Product Manufacturers

If a wildfire was sparked by a defective product, such as a faulty generator, outdoor heater, or lithium-ion battery, the manufacturer could be liable under product liability laws. These claims often involve:

• Design flaws
• Manufacturing defects
• Inadequate safety warnings
  
   

Insurance Companies (in Bad Faith Cases)

While not typically the cause of the fire, insurance providers may be sued if they:

• Wrongfully deny valid wildfire claims
• Delay payments excessively
• Offer unfair settlements

In these cases, insurers can be held liable for bad faith practices and may owe additional damages beyond the original claim amount.

Shared Liability

In many wildfire evacuation lawsuits, multiple parties can share liability. For example, a utility company may be responsible for starting the fire, a property owner might have worsened the spread by failing to maintain defensible space, and a local agency may be at fault for delayed emergency response.

Attorneys can help identify all liable parties to maximize your potential compensation.

After a major wildfire, one of the first questions victims face is: Should I file an individual lawsuit or join a class action? The answer depends on your unique circumstances and goals for recovery.

Individual Lawsuits

An individual lawsuit is filed on behalf of a single person or family and allows for a highly customized approach to seeking damages. This path is ideal if:

• Your losses are extensive and well-documented
• You suffered personal injuries or health issues
• You want control over your settlement terms
• You have property or business losses that are significantly higher than average
  
   

Class Action Lawsuits

Class actions group together many victims with similar claims against the same defendant—usually a utility company. Benefits include:

• Shared legal resources and costs
• Streamlined discovery process
• Efficient handling of large volumes of claims

However, class action settlements are typically split evenly or proportionately among participants, which may limit the total amount any one person receives. If your damages exceed the average, an individual claim may yield a better outcome.

At Morgan & Morgan, we evaluate each client's case individually. In some situations, we may pursue both avenues simultaneously. For example, joining a class action for broad liability while filing an individual claim for personal injuries.

After surviving a wildfire, many homeowners discover a second crisis: their insurance company refuses to pay. Common reasons for denial include disputes over the cause of the fire, fine-print exclusions, or lowball offers that don’t cover the true cost of rebuilding. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone—and you have legal options.

Common bad-faith tactics by insurers:

• Delaying claims without explanation
• Offering settlements far below market value
• Denying coverage for smoke damage or landscaping
• Asserting that your policy doesn’t cover “wildfire” events

These tactics are often used to protect the insurer’s bottom line—not to serve your best interests. At Morgan & Morgan, our attorneys are experienced in battling large insurance companies that act in bad faith.

If your claim has been denied or undervalued, let us review it for free. You could still be entitled to compensation.

No. Consultations at Morgan & Morgan are completely free. We believe everyone deserves access to legal advice, regardless of their financial situation.

Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation on our site or by phone.

When you hire Morgan & Morgan, you don’t just hire a lawyer, you hire the largest personal injury law firm in the country with an army of over 1,000 lawyers and offices in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Your case will be handled by a dedicated team of professionals, including personal injury lawyers, paralegals, and support staff. You will be assigned a care team that includes a primary attorney who will oversee your case and ensure you receive personalized attention throughout the process.

We love talking to our clients. You will primarily communicate with your Case Manager via telephone and email, and if you would like to speak directly with your attorney via telephone, we will make that happen by scheduling a call.

Morgan & Morgan’s lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that there are no upfront fees or expenses until your case comes to a successful conclusion. That’s right—the Fee Is Free™, and you only pay if we win.

Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict amount, ensuring we are motivated to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

Wildfires don’t just burn land; they poison the air. 

Prolonged exposure to smoke, ash, and toxins released during wildfires can cause serious, long-lasting health problems. Legal claims tied to these effects are gaining traction, especially when utility company negligence is to blame.

Respiratory Conditions

According to the CDC, wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that can lodge deep in the lungs. Victims may develop:

• Chronic bronchitis
• Asthma or COPD flare-ups
• Decreased lung function
• Lung cancer (in rare, long-term exposure cases)
  
   

Psychological Effects

The trauma of evacuation, property loss, and health scares can lead to:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety and depression
• Insomnia and related conditions
  
   

These invisible injuries are just as real (and compensable) as physical harm. If your mental or physical health declined after wildfire exposure, our attorneys can help you build a medical record and pursue rightful compensation.

Yes. If an investigation finds that a utility company’s negligence, such as faulty equipment, poor maintenance, or ignored safety warnings, sparked the wildfire, you can sue for damages. PG&E and other companies have been held legally and financially responsible in the past.

Typical documentation includes:

• Photos or videos of property damage
• Proof of evacuation orders or temporary lodging
• Medical records (if applicable)
• Insurance policy and claim history
• Pay stubs showing lost income
• Receipts for relocation or clean-up costs
• Property itemization lists (there are great examples of these on Excel that you can use and update annually so that you’re always prepared)

Our legal team can help you organize and submit these materials for maximum impact.

Wildfire lawsuits can take anywhere from several months to several years, depending on complexity, number of claimants, and whether a class action is involved. However, early legal action often results in faster and more favorable outcomes.

As each case is unique, it’s important to consult with an experienced attorney who can review your case and give a more accurate estimation of your claim’s timeline.

Absolutely. Renters can sue for loss of personal belongings, relocation expenses, emotional distress, and more. You don’t need to own the property to have suffered financial or emotional harm.

Yes. Evacuation-related damages such as hotel bills, lost wages, and transportation costs are valid grounds for a claim. Emotional distress and inconvenience are also compensable in many cases.

Yes. Many victims suffer from PTSD, anxiety, and depression following wildfire disasters. Mental health damages are legitimate and can be pursued alongside physical and property-related claims.

Wildfire litigation is complex, emotional, and time-sensitive. At Morgan & Morgan, we have the resources of America’s largest personal injury law firm and the compassion of attorneys who genuinely care. 

At Morgan & Morgan, our team of experienced attorneys has successfully represented countless clients in similar situations, securing millions in compensation. As the largest personal injury law firm in the country with over 1,000 lawyers nationwide, we have the resources, knowledge, and dedication to fight for your rights. 

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t have to pay unless we win your case. Morgan & Morgan believes justice should be accessible to all, so our motto is the Fee Is Free™—you only pay if we win.

If you or a loved one has been affected by a wildfire, contact us today for a free case evaluation.