Los Angeles Fire Lawsuit Lawyer
The wildfire litigation team at Walkup Melodia Kelly and Schoenberger is representing clients as a result of the devastating Eaton fire that swept through the Los Angeles area. The combination of fires, now the worst in California’s history, has left countless residents without their homes, possessions, and personal treasures. While officials haven’t yet confirmed the cause of all of the fires, our team is available to help those affected by providing advice on how to deal with the aftermath of the fires, clean-up, fire insurance reimbursement and the process of rebuilding.
Lawsuits have been filed without knowing the final determination by Cal Fire as the cause and origin of each fire. We are investigating to obtain all available facts. There is no need nor is there any advantage to filing lawsuits while the fires are still burning. The statute of limitations for any such lawsuits against private parties or utility companies is two years from the date of the harm. No case is going to be decided independent of others. Filing without knowing all the facts is not a strategy.
At the same time, Walkup lawyers Michael Kelly, Andrew McDevitt, and Max Schuver are working in collaboration with the professionals at Cotchett Pitre and McCarthy and Panish Shea and Ravipudi of Los Angeles to determine if culpability exists. Together, our three firms bring unmatched experience in fire disaster investigation and successful litigation.
Together we have handled major cases, including home and business losses, personal property damage, personal injury, and wrongful death claims from the January 2018 fires in Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties. We were also part of the leadership team in the lawsuits against Pacific Gas and Electric after the October 2017 fires in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, and Yolo counties. Most recently, all three firms have investigated and filed claims on behalf of fire victims as a result of the tragic 2024 wildfires in Maui, Hawaii.
Eaton Fire Lawsuit Lawyer
The Walkup Melodia Kelly and Schoenberger , Cotchett Pitre and McCarthy, Panish Shea and Ravipudi wildfire litigation team is hard at work investigating the devastating Eaton fire. Initial evidence suggests potential fault for this fire by Southern California Edison. Just after 6 pm on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, the Eaton Fire broke out in the Altadena/Pasadena area. So far, there have been five deaths reported.
Some witnesses report involvement of So Cal Edison transmission line equipment. Southern California Edison has been directed to collect and maintain equipment that may tell the story of cause and ignition. The Los Angeles County Fire Department has estimated that over 1,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed in the fire. 100,000 residents received mandatory evacuation orders, while another 100,000 received evacuation warnings. The Fire Department Chief has reported that the growth of the fire has stopped but it is not contained. The fire has now burned more than 11,000 acres.
The Eaton Fire started in Eaton Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains on the evening of January 7, 2025. The fire began around 6:15 p.m. PST, and nearby residents called 911, saying they saw one of the electrical towers in the canyon catch fire. By the next morning, January 8, the fire had spread to more than 10,600 acres, driven by the fierce Santa Ana winds.
The Walkup/Cotchett/Panish team is investigating and evaluating action on behalf of clients for this fire. The fire has caused immense destruction. An official determination as to the cause has yet to be announced, but our team is committed to uncovering the truth and helping those affected. Historic landmarks like the Andrew McNally House, the Zane Grey Estate, and the Bunny Museum in Altadena were lost. Several places of worship, including Altadena Community Church, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Masjid Al-Taqwa Mosque, and the Pasadena Jewish Temple were also destroyed.
Entire residential areas in Altadena have been wiped out, including neighborhoods settled by African American families during the Great Migration in the 1920s and 1930s. These areas had flourished as working- and middle-class communities for over a century.
Hurst Fire Lawsuit Lawyer
The cause of the fire is under investigation. According to some residents, an electrical explosion was witnessed at about 10 p.m. preceding the fire. Confirmation of an electrical cause of the fire is pending.
The collaborative wildfire litigation team at Walkup Melodia Kelly and Schoenberger, Cotchett Pitre and McCarthy and Panish Shea Ravipudi is working hard to investigate the cause of the Hurst fire. We are standing by to help Los Angeles County residents who’ve lost their homes and belongings. Victims are dealing with property damage, complicated insurance claims, and the emotional and financial strain of this disaster. Understandably, they’re searching for answers and support.
Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for areas north of the 210 Freeway from Roxford to the Interstate 5/14 Freeway split, forcing many families to leave their homes. Evacuation centers are open to give temporary shelter to those affected.
During a time like this, having the right legal team by your side is critical. With experience, compassion, and relentless dedication, we’re here to help you through this tough time. Let us help you in regaining control, rebuilding stability, and starting over stronger.
Palisades Fire Lawyers
The Palisades Fire is the largest wildfire burning in the Santa Monica Mountains, now exceeding 24,000 acres. It has killed at least eleven people. The cause is undetermined, but at least at this point does not appear to be related to utility company wrongdoing or government agency wrongdoing.
The fire spread due to a combination of severe drought in Southern California (the driest 9-month period on record), and a worsening Santa Ana wind event. A man was detained on suspicion of igniting a fire in Woodland Hills, immediately north of where the fire was burning. Some evidence suggests human activity as a cause – including possible arson and/or reignition of a fire started at a different location.
Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley has stated the fire has destroyed more than 5,300 structures since Tuesday. The fire is now spreading toward Brentwood, where the Getty Center is located, and is threatening to reach Interstate 405.
The Walkup/Cotchett/Panish team is here to help you. Call us.
Help For the Victims
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
- FEMA Helpline: 1-800-621-3362
- The American Red Cross: 1-800-675-5799
- The Salvation Army: socal.salvationarmy.org 1-562-264-3600
GENERAL SERVICES
- CA State Government Resources: https://www.ca.gov/lafires/
- LA County Recovery Resources: https://recovery.lacounty.gov/
- CA Department of Insurance: www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/140-catastrophes/WildfireResources.cfm
- CALFRESH Program (food): calfresh.dss.ca.gov
- CALWORKS (cash aid): www.cdss.ca.gov
- Crisis Counseling, County of Los Angeles Department of Mental Health: dmh.lacounty.gov 1-800-854-7771
- Senior & Disabled Adult Services: 1-213-291-0028
- Women/Infants/Children Nutrition Program: 1-866-901-3212
- Animal Rescue, Food, Shelter, Accommodation: animalcare.lacounty.gov
SHELTERS OPEN (as of 1/13/2025)
- Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena, CA 91101
- Westwood Recreation Center, 1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025
- Ritchie Valens Recreation Center, 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Pacoima, CA 91331
- Pomona Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768
- Pan Pacific Recreational Center, 7600 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
- Stoner Recreation Center, 1835 Stoner Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025
- Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, 1816 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90015
- Van Nuys Recreation Center, 14301 Vanowen St., Van Nuys, CA 91405
As wildfires continue to burn in Los Angeles County, we understand that victims are overwhelmed and vulnerable. The immediate focus should be on taking care of yourself and your family. Initial steps should include finding immediate emergency housing, followed by longer-term temporary housing, and contacting your insurance provider to begin your claim and access initial emergency funds.
When contacting your insurance carrier, we recommend that you request an electronic PDF copy of your “longform insurance policy including declarations and endorsements”. These documents will be helpful to you and anyone assisting you with understanding the details of your coverage.
As you consider initial and next steps, we strongly recommend that in addition to contacting us to explore liability, you contact United Policyholders for any insurance issues you may run into. They are a nonprofit consumer advocacy group that has a thorough guide and set of resources gathered for the 2025 SoCal Fires that can be found here: https://uphelp.org/disaster-recovery-help/2025cawildfires/
