Wildfire Litigation Attorney

Wildfires have become one of the defining catastrophes of life in the American West — destroying homes, obliterating communities, killing and injuring thousands, and leaving survivors to navigate the overwhelming complexity of insurance claims, FEMA applications, and legal proceedings while still in shock. Brett Schreiber represents wildfire victims through Singleton Schreiber, the nation's preeminent wildfire litigation firm.

Singleton Schreiber has represented more than 30,000 wildfire victims — more than any other law firm in the United States — and has recovered over $3 billion in settlements and verdicts on their behalf. The firm has played a significant role in virtually every major wildfire in the western United States since 2007, with current active litigation in California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and New Mexico.

If you or your family were affected by a wildfire, contact Brett's office today for a free, confidential case evaluation. There are no upfront costs and no fees unless we recover for you.

Why Wildfire Victims Need a Lawyer

The instinct after a wildfire is to file an insurance claim and wait for the check. The reality is far more complicated — and far less fair. Insurance companies routinely underpay wildfire claims, dispute coverage for entire categories of losses, and take advantage of policyholders who don't know the full scope of what they're entitled to.

Even policyholders with good insurance coverage rarely recover everything they've lost. Critical categories of wildfire damage — including emotional distress, erosion, significant landscaping and tree loss, smoke contamination, and agricultural losses — are often outside the scope of standard homeowner policies or heavily contested by insurers. Legal representation is frequently the only path to full recovery.

What We Do for Wildfire Clients

• Work with each client individually to identify and document all losses — including those outside standard insurance coverage
• Engage leading restoration experts in rebuilding, erosion, tree loss, and agricultural damage to maximize recovery
• Provide access to an insurance expert at no charge for consulting purposes
• Assist with FEMA applications and appeals at no additional cost
• Connect clients with on-staff social workers to assist with housing, financial aid, and mental health resources
• Advance all litigation costs — clients pay nothing unless we recover

Who Is Responsible for California Wildfires?

Many of California's most devastating wildfires are not natural disasters — they are the result of negligence, equipment failure, or the deliberate decisions of utility companies, government agencies, or private landowners. Identifying the responsible party and the legal theory that applies to your situation is the foundation of successful wildfire litigation.

Utility Companies

The majority of California's largest and most destructive modern wildfires have been attributed to utility infrastructure — power lines, transformers, and electrical equipment that contacts vegetation during high-wind conditions. PG&E, Southern California Edison, and other California utilities have faced massive liability for fires including the Camp Fire, the Tubbs Fire, the Eaton Fire, and many others.

Inverse Condemnation — California's Strict Liability Standard

California's inverse condemnation doctrine holds public utilities strictly liable for property damage caused by their infrastructure — even without proof of negligence. If a utility's equipment starts a fire that damages your property, you may have a valid claim regardless of whether the utility took reasonable precautions. This doctrine has been one of the most powerful legal tools in California wildfire litigation.

Government Entities

In some cases, government agencies — including the U.S. Forest Service and state agencies — may bear responsibility for wildfire spread due to negligent land management, failure to maintain firebreaks, or improper prescribed burn management. Claims against government entities involve strict procedural requirements and shorter deadlines.

Private Parties

Wildfires can also be caused by private landowners, contractors, or businesses whose negligence — improperly stored equipment, unmanaged vegetation, illegal burning — ignites a fire that spreads to neighboring properties.

What Damages Can Wildfire Victims Recover?

Wildfire losses are often far broader than what a standard insurance policy covers. Legal claims against the responsible party can pursue compensation for the full scope of your damages, including:

Property Losses

• Structural damage to or total destruction of your home or business
• Personal property and contents lost in the fire
• Vehicles destroyed or damaged
• Outbuildings, fences, and infrastructure
• Landscaping, trees, and vegetation — often significantly undercompensated by insurance
• Agricultural losses — crops, livestock, equipment, orchards
• Erosion damage following fire and rain

Economic Losses

• Evacuation costs and temporary housing expenses
• Lost income and business interruption
• Loss of future earning capacity where injuries are involved
• Costs of smoke remediation and decontamination

Personal and Non-Economic Losses

• Physical injuries — burns, smoke inhalation, injuries sustained during evacuation
• Emotional distress, anxiety, PTSD, and psychological trauma
• Loss of irreplaceable personal items — photographs, heirlooms, cherished possessions
• Wrongful death — loss of a family member in a wildfire

Active Wildfire Litigation

Singleton Schreiber currently represents thousands of clients in active wildfire litigation across the western United States. Recent and ongoing cases include the Eaton Fire, the Hurst Fire, the Rowena Fire, and numerous other fires across California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and New Mexico. If you were affected by any of these fires or any other wildfire, contact Brett's office to discuss your situation.

The Eaton Fire — Insurance Claim Disputes

Following the Eaton Fire, Singleton Schreiber has filed class action litigation against major insurers — including Farmers Insurance — alleging that companies used inadequate smoke contamination testing to deny or minimize smoke damage remediation claims. This litigation is active and ongoing. If you believe your Eaton Fire insurance claim was improperly denied or underpaid, contact Brett's office for a free evaluation.

How Long Do You Have to File a Wildfire Lawsuit?

The statute of limitations for wildfire claims in California is generally two years from the date of the fire for personal injury claims and three years for property damage claims. Claims against government entities may require a tort claim filing within six months. These deadlines are strict — contact an attorney as soon as possible to preserve your rights.

Frequently Asked Questions: Wildfire Litigation

Can I sue a utility company for wildfire damage in California?

Yes. Utility companies can be held liable for wildfires caused by their equipment under both negligence and California's inverse condemnation doctrine. Under inverse condemnation, utilities may be strictly liable for property damage even without proof of negligence — meaning you may have a valid claim regardless of whether the utility took reasonable precautions.

What damages can wildfire victims recover?

Property damage and destruction, landscaping and tree loss, agricultural losses, business interruption, evacuation costs, personal injury, emotional distress, loss of irreplaceable possessions, and wrongful death. Many of these categories are not fully covered by insurance — legal recovery fills the gap.

Does my insurance cover all my wildfire losses?

Rarely. Most wildfire victims are underinsured, and significant categories of losses — emotional distress, erosion, landscaping, smoke contamination, and agricultural damage — are often outside standard homeowner policy coverage or disputed by insurers. Legal representation is frequently the only path to full recovery.

What is the statute of limitations for a California wildfire lawsuit?

Two years from the date of the fire for personal injury claims; three years for property damage claims. Claims against government entities require a tort claim filing within six months. Contact an attorney promptly — missing these deadlines permanently bars recovery.

What is inverse condemnation and how does it apply to California wildfires?

Inverse condemnation is a California legal doctrine holding public utilities strictly liable for property damage caused by their infrastructure — regardless of negligence. If a utility's equipment starts a fire that damages your property, you may have a claim even if the utility took reasonable precautions. This has been central to litigation against PG&E, Southern California Edison, and other California utilities.

Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. This page is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.