San Diego Wildfire Attorney

Every year, wildfires burn through thousands of acres of land, destroying homes, businesses, entire communities, and even lives in their destructive path. The hot, dry climate and increasing drought conditions in San Diego make it the ideal environment for wildfires to spread quickly.

While many fires are sparked by natural causes, many are the result of human negligence, such as power lines that aren’t properly maintained, equipment malfunctions, or even careless actions by companies in charge of managing public lands. 

In these cases, the horrific damage caused by these fires could have been prevented, and those responsible for the terrible destruction should be held responsible. For over 40 years, Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire has stood by the people of San Diego, doing everything in our power to help them through legal hardship and more.

Get in touch with our team online or call (619) 236-9363 to learn more about how we can help you recover and fight for compensation in the aftermath of a wildfire.

Factors That Contribute to Devastating Wildfires 

While many people might think of lightning strikes or intense winds as causing and aggravating fires, human activities are actually the primary cause of wildfires. As of 2023, the 10-year average of human-caused fires accounts for 88% of all wildfires in the United States.

Furthermore, human negligence was responsible for the majority of the more than 250,000 wildfires that blazed through California over the past three decades. People can cause wildfires in the following ways: 

• Firearms and explosives
• Unattended campfires
• Arson
• Discarding cigarettes
• Improper vehicle use 
• Debris burning 

Also, San Diego is especially vulnerable to wildfires because of the amount of rural land with houses and brush intermixed, dry climate, Santa Ana winds, invasive weeds, and low humidity.

“My situation was difficult at best and the legal team never gave up on my case, working tirelessly on my behalf. It's never easy to be in pain and go through the related challenges when an accident occurs. I highly recommend this firm and its dedicated staff to anyone in need of serious, professional, legal representation. I am grateful they were recommended to me.”

- Cathy I.

Utility Companies and Their Role in Wildfires

As we’ve covered, wildfires can start in a lot of different ways, but one of the most common causes is problems with power lines and equipment owned and operated by utility companies. 

While we trust these companies to follow strict safety protocols while supplying us with gas, electricity, and other amenities, this is not always the case. 

These fires are not just accidents—they can often be traced back to mistakes or neglect on the part of the utility companies. Here’s a closer look at how this happens and how they might be held responsible: 

• Downed Power Lines: One of the most common ways a wildfire starts is when power lines fall down due to strong winds, storms, or even a tree branch breaking. In San Diego, the combination of high winds and dry conditions makes downed power lines a serious fire hazard.
• Faulty Equipment: Sometimes, equipment like transformers, power lines, or electrical boxes can malfunction or break down.
• Failure to Maintain Equipment: Utility companies are required to regularly inspect and maintain their equipment to prevent malfunctions. If a utility company doesn't properly maintain power lines, transformers, or other electrical infrastructure, it increases the chances of equipment failure.
• Improper Tree and Brush Management: Utility companies must clear vegetation around power lines and equipment. Also, they need to manage trees to prevent them from coming into contact with power lines.
• Inadequate Response to Extreme Weather: Since San Diego is prone to high winds, utility companies must be prepared to immediately cut off power in high wind areas due to the risk of falling power lines. 

For example, ​​in 2007, wildfires tore through San Diego County, burning over 200,000 acres, destroying more than 1,100 homes, and killing two people. The Guejito, Witch, and Rice fires started when vegetation wasn’t cleared and touched power lines owned by San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and Cox Communications. 

Though SDG&E didn’t admit fault, they settled for over $2 billion, and Cox Communications paid $444 million.

In 2023 alone, San Diego suffered nine catastrophic fires that destroyed 913 acres. With wildfires becoming more frequent and intense in San Diego, Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire is here to stand by those whose lives have been upended because of wildfires.

If you were impacted by a wildfire, you need an experienced and reliable team of San Diego wildfire attorneys who can help you get back on your feet. Reach out to Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire today online or call (619) 236-9363.

How Do I Know If I Qualify for a San Diego Wildfire Lawsuit?

The quick and unforgiving blaze of a wildfire can change your entire life in an instant. From property damage to injury, wildfires can rob innocent people of so much. A San Diego wildfire attorney may be able to help you if you experienced the following:

• Property Damage: Whether you’re a homeowner or a business owner, if your house, business, vehicles, or other property were damaged or lost entirely in a wildfire, you could qualify for compensation to cover what the fire destroyed. 
• Personal Injury: If you or a loved one were injured in a wildfire, whether due to smoke inhalation, burns, or other fire-related injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.
• Wrongful Death: If you lost a loved one in the fire, you may have a wrongful death claim, which could help cover funeral costs, loss of income, and loss of companionship.

What Can a San Diego Wildfire Damage Lawyer Do for My Case?

It’s understandable to feel completely lost, angry, and overwhelmed after a wildfire. Whether you’ve lost your home, your livelihood, or a loved one, the recovery process can seem like an uphill battle.

But you don’t have to face this alone. A wildfire recovery lawyer in San Diego can support you step by step to fight for the financial support you need to start rebuilding your life. A legal team can assist you by: 

• Investigating the cause of the fire: Sometimes it is not immediately clear what sparked a wildfire. However, your lawyer can determine if human error, a utility company, or another contributing factor was responsible for the fire.
• Handling insurance companies: Filing an insurance claim after a wildfire can be complicated and frustrating. Insurance companies may try to pay less than what you’re owed or even deny your claim outright. A San Diego wildfire lawyer won’t let insurance companies off the hook and ensure they treat you fairly and give you the coverage you need.
• Negotiating fair compensation: Beyond property damage, wildfires can cause serious injuries and mental anguish. A lawyer will fight for compensation that covers all of your losses, like medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and possibly even temporary housing.
• Fight for you in court: Insurance companies don’t always play fair, so if they refuse to offer an accurate settlement, an attorney will be prepared to take your case to court.

Studies show that having a lawyer on your side improves your chance of success in a legal claim. 

For example, a Martindale-Nolo study found that people who worked with an attorney to handle their claim ended up with settlements that were, on average, $30,700 higher than those who just accepted the first offer. Therefore, a team of San Diego wildfire damage attorneys’ negotiation skills can be extremely helpful when dealing with an insurance company.

Why Hire the San Diego Wildfire Recovery Attorneys at Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire?

For over four decades, Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire has proudly upheld and defended the rights of San Diegans. As residents of San Diego ourselves, we’ve witnessed firsthand the growing problem of wildfires and how they’ve plagued residents. 

After losing everything, you shouldn’t have to fight insurance companies or the responsible party’s legal team. That’s where a San Diego wildfire attorney steps in. Your job is to focus on recovering from the fire, and our job is to help you get the compensation you need to support that recovery. 

We’ve won over $2 billion in settlements and verdicts for our clients, and we are ready to bring that same dedication to fighting for you. Contact our San Diego wildfire attorneys today online or call (619) 236-9363. 

Proudly Representing San Diego Residents