“Camp Fire” Deaths: Recourse for Families

Many families lost loved ones in the Camp Fire that broke out near Paradise, California in November 2018. No person should have to endure the devastation of losing someone in a fire, especially one that might have been prevented.

Legal Recourse and Holding PG&E Responsible for Those Who Lost Loved Ones

If someone’s death results from the negligent actions of another party – in this case, Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) failure to fix/maintain a malfunctioning power line – the fire victim’s surviving family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit in addition to recovering for their other losses. Nothing can take back what happened, but with the help of an experienced attorney, the family can seek compensation for their losses after their loved one’s death and hold those who caused the death responsible.  The time has come to change the corporate culture at PG&E.

Camp Fire Trial Lawyers can help you with no upfront cost to you.

The experience and resources of the Camp Fire Trial Lawyers is unmatched.

Led by attorney Tom Tosdal, one of the very few trial lawyers nationally that has obtained a jury verdict on behalf of victims of a utility-caused wildfire, the team combines the resources of three law firms with more than ten years of experience in litigation specifically involving wildfire claims and over 70 years of litigation experience.

The team offers services on a contingent fee basis—that is, if there’s no recovery, there’s no fee or costs to our clients.  Our fees are very competitive.

Who can bring a wrongful death action?

The following people can file a wrongful death claim (and would be the plaintiffs in the case):

• The surviving spouse or domestic partner of the decedent, meaning person who died,
• Children of the decedent,
• Dependent stepchildren,
• An ex-spouse and his or her children if they were dependent on the decedent,
• The decedent’s parents, and/or
• A minor who lived with the decedent for the previous 180 days and was dependent for half of his or her support or more.

The potential plaintiffs in a case depend on the person who died and his or her dependents.

A powerful and experienced legal representative can hold the responsible parties accountable on behalf of their loved one. The can show the irreplaceable loss that the family experienced and obtain a recovery for damages including:

• Funeral and burial expenses,
• The decedent’s earnings if he or she had lived to a full life expectancy,
• Surviving family members’ loss of financial support, and
• Surviving family members’ loss of companionship, guidance, and more.

If you lost a loved one in the 2018 Camp Fire wildfire, our team can answer any questions you may have about your legal recourse. California law limits the time you have to take action against PG&E, so it’s important to know your rights as soon as possible. We welcome you to contact our team at (530) 755-7810, or drop by our local office at 1385 Ridgewood Drive, Chico, CA 95973 (off of Lassen Drive, near the Social Security building).