Wildfire Lawyer Serving Greenville, CA
Surrounded by national forests and breathtaking views, Greenville, CA, has suffered devastation from massive wildfires, such as the Plumas Fire and the Dixie Fire. Residents have struggled to return to normal, and over 1,000 remain displaced as they work to settle insurance claims for their homes and businesses. Managing these negotiations can be complicated without help from a wildfire lawyer serving Greenville, CA, and the surrounding areas.
At Danko Meredith, we offer knowledge of the area, the unique nature of wildfire damage, and the many parties who can be held liable when your home or business is destroyed. You do not have to face this journey alone when we can provide over 35 years of experience against insurance providers and utility companies like Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). Contact us to discuss your options during a free consultation today.
Why Choose Danko Meredith After Suffering a Wildfire Disaster?
Californians who live in the lush areas surrounding Lassen and Plumas National Forests learn quickly how to prepare for unexpected fires. They know how to fortify their buildings and land, and have meticulous safety plans in place. Yet, what happens when everything goes wrong and you have lost it all?
This is where choosing our California wildfire lawyers can make the difference in how quickly you move forward. Not only do we know the law and process for addressing liability for your damages, but we also offer a strong background in addressing utility companies and others who are at fault. Although we are aggressive when dealing with those to blame, we treat our clients with the compassion and respect they deserve when they have lost it all.
We complete a thorough investigation and partner with government resources to identify who is at fault and determine methods for seeking compensation. Our Greenville, CA, utility fire lawyers keep you updated throughout your case, helping you make well-informed decisions based on your unique circumstances and needs. We may be outnumbered by large utility companies and their attorneys, but we will never be out-lawyered.
Our Wildfire Attorneys in Greenville, CA, Take on PE&G and Other Utilities
In previous cases against PG&E, our utility fire attorneys have found evidence of how they run their equipment to failure and neglect proper fire abatement procedures. In situations such as the Dixie Fire, a tree falling onto an energized PG&E pole ignited dry vegetation, leading to the loss of over 963,000 acres and more than 1,300 buildings.
We have a track record of nearly 100% against PG&E for claims involving the Eaton Fire, Butte Fire, Camp Fire, and Dixie Fire. We are prepared to support victims in the event the investigation determines PG&E or another party is to blame. Along with recovering compensation for homes and personal injury, our team can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit if you lost a loved one in a California wildfire.
We Have Been Litigating Against PG&E for 35 Years
Wildfire attorney Mike Danko has been battling negligence by PG&E for more than three decades, becoming deeply familiar with their policies and motivations. He has built a team of utility fire lawyers with the skills and knowledge to prepare powerful cases for injured individuals and business owners. Together, they work to create a tailored solution to your circumstances and obtain justice for you.
The recent Gold Complex Fire in 2024 and the many Los Angeles wildfires in January 2025 are still under investigation, but may yield additional claims against PG&E. Danko Meredith’s wildfire attorneys in Greenville, CA, and across the state will be ready to help those in need, assessing the potential for both individual claims and class action lawsuits. You can depend on us during these increasingly difficult times.
Your Wildfire Attorney Will Guide You Through the Insurance Claims Process
You may have paid into your homeowners’ insurance for many years, expecting them to be there for you when tragedy strikes. However, their business demands may cause them to question every expense, striving to reduce what they pay you. Instead of being at their mercy, you need qualified and diligent negotiators who will fight for what you deserve.
At Danko Meredith, our trial lawyers bring the same tenacious and dedicated approach to insurance discussions as they do to the courtroom. We understand the insurance industry and its techniques, giving us an advantage that allows us to aggressively seek the settlement you need. We assist you with filing paperwork, collecting repair estimates, and calculating costs so we can demand payment that pays for more than just rebuilding.
We also help you put a value on the emotional impact a wildfire has on you and your family after losing everything. By taking on the conversations for you, we minimize your stress and additional worry. We also know what to say and what not to say, preventing you from inadvertently jeopardizing your claim when you are vulnerable.
Danko Meredith Helps You Seek Full Compensation for Utility Fire Damages
When the home and life you built among the beauty of Northern California’s forests are destroyed by fire, it can take years to return to normal. During that time, you not only have unexpected bills, but you also have to face the psychological toll of starting over. In some instances, such as the aftermath of the Eaton fire, contaminants may continue to make you sick after the flames are out.
The team at Danko Meredith focuses on helping you determine what your case is worth and holding the negligent parties, such as utility companies, accountable for their part in your losses. When they knowingly commit wrongful actions, we work to hit them where it hurts most: their bottom line. By securing full compensation for our clients, we hope to impose a sufficient toll on them so that they change their careless ways.
Medical Bills
When wildfires strike in forested areas like those surrounding Greenville, CA, dry timber and strong winds work against you. The fire spreads quickly, often preceded by thick smoke that causes severe respiratory damage. While evacuating, you could suffer a range of injuries and conditions from falling, car accidents, or getting struck by falling debris.
In a wildfire claim, you can request payment for your full range of medical bills, including surgeries, ICU and ER fees, ongoing therapy, projected future costs, and nursing care. Burn injuries alone can require extensive treatment. At Danko Meredith, we collaborate with medical experts to ensure we understand exactly how much your care will cost so we can take those demands to the negotiating table.
Property Damage
Fire will consume everything in its path quickly, including homes, buildings, and animals. If you have a business or farm, you can seek compensation for what you have lost, including the value of livestock and equipment. For your home, you can also request the replacement value of furniture, artwork, jewelry, and sentimental items.
In some instances, your home may not have burned directly, but been damaged or destroyed by other events caused by the fire. In the recent Los Angeles 2025 fires, many homes were ruined in the Montecito mudslides. Regardless of what caused the damage, your wildfire lawyers at Danko Meredith can help you with valuation records and other documentation supporting your property loss claims.
Loss of Wages and Revenue
After fire devastation, you may be unable to work due to your own injuries or because your employer’s buildings are gone. If you own a business, you could lose critical revenue while you rebuild. This loss of income creates more stress as the bills pile up, including your relocation costs until your home is rebuilt.
You are entitled to seek compensation for all your lost wages, as well as repayment for benefits, retirement savings, bonuses, and damage to your future earning capacity. You can also request coverage of your missing revenue until your operation is back to full speed. You and your employees should not have to pay the consequences of negligent utility companies who contributed to your loss.
Non-Economic Losses
With our experience helping wildfire victims across California, we understand the emotional distress and mental anguish you feel after losing your sense of place in the world. Your home may have survived, but you could be barred from returning to it for some time until authorities deem the area safe. If everything is gone and you have been hurt, the subjective impact of a fire can be extremely damaging.
Your pain and suffering deserve financial acknowledgment, especially when heartless companies made decisions that led to your losses. A utility fire attorney uses special calculations to find an appropriate value for circumstances such as:
- Diminished quality of life
- Permanent disability
- Isolation from society due to scarring and disfigurement
- Anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns
- Grief and sorrow over deceased family, friends, and pets
- Loss of companionship and intimacy if your partner dies
- Chronic pain
- Loss of community
- Loss of security and stability
- Loss of irreplaceable family heirlooms or other possessions
You may need round-the-clock nursing after a traumatic brain injury or loss of limbs, resulting in loss of enjoyment of your former activities. Your emotional and psychological effects may leave you with years of therapy for a full recovery, and every penny of it deserves compensation from those at fault.
A Successful Wildfire Insurance Claim Begins Right Away
Your first job when told to evacuate is to leave immediately, taking your family and getting to safety. However, once you are elsewhere, you can take steps to set your claim up for success, even if you are unsure what the final damage might be. Both the State of California and Danko Meredith can provide guidance on what to do after a wildfire to prepare your insurance claim.
Review Your Policy for ALE
First, check your insurance policy or call your broker to receive a copy of it, along with the declarations page. The company must provide this information within 30 days of your request. You are looking to know how much your policy allows in Additional Living Expenses (ALE) and for how long. The ALE is what you will use to feed and house yourself and your family while you wait to find out what has happened to your home.
Generally, you can receive ALE for up to 24 months or until your coverage expires. You can often file for an additional 12 months, depending on your policy limits. It is wise to choose affordable accommodations to avoid running out of ALE coverage before you are able to return to your home.
Track Your Costs
To successfully claim ALE and any other expenses for your recovery, you should keep a detailed record of all your costs. This includes meals, travel, clothing, shoes, vehicles, and other expenditures you need to support your family and work. You will also want to maintain records of your medical bills and begin an inventory of your losses, including items in your home and the value of the buildings.
Your ALE will pay for many of those daily costs, but even if they do not, it is vital to have these records in the event you are able to file a personal injury lawsuit against companies like PG&E. In most instances, your Danko Meredith utility fire attorneys will be able to settle your claim without going to trial. However, it is always a good idea to plan for the potential of taking your case to court.
Keep a Written Record of Insurance Conversations
It is easy to get overwhelmed and confused when you are dealing with so much after being displaced by a fire. In addition, insurance jargon and policy details can get jumbled up in your mind, making it harder to recall what your insurance adjuster told you about your coverage. Document every conversation by making a written record and sending an email confirmation about what you discussed.
Creating a “paper trial” helps you hold the insurance company accountable for what they promised. They are a business, and unfortunately, they will sometimes put their profit above your need for fair compensation. If you have a record of what they said, your attorney can use this during negotiations to keep them honest and push for a better settlement offer.
Know Your Rights
Once you file, your insurer has 15 days to respond to your claim under the California Code of Regulations Title 10, Chapter 5. This does not mean they will pay it that soon, but they must provide either an acceptance, a denial, or a request for more information. In some instances, they may offer to send an adjuster who will cut a check immediately, but we recommend speaking with a wildfire attorney first, since this amount could be much too low.
By partnering with Danko Meredith for your utility fire claim, you can let us handle these conversations and settlement negotiations. This takes the stress and burden off your shoulders, allowing you to focus your energy on physically and mentally recovering from your injuries and loss. We advise you every step of the way, allowing you to make the decisions with education and support from our team.
How Much Do Wildfire Attorneys Charge?
A common concern for those who have barely escaped from a fire with their lives is, “What does it cost to hire a wildfire lawyer?” Fortunately, you can speak with a member of our team for free to understand more about your claim. Your initial consultation is a time to ask questions and get the important answers you need about the strength of your case and its potential value.
When we take you on as a client, we offer a contingency fee payment structure. This means you pay us contingent on whether we win our case. In short, if we do not secure a settlement for you, you do not pay us. We only take our attorney fees and other costs as a part of your compensation once we are successful.
This frees you to secure the experienced legal representation you need against big corporations without having to pay a huge sum upfront. We are confident in our skills and background against companies like PG&E in handling wildfire claims, and we believe we have what it takes to manage your case. We believe our seven-figure case results will give you confidence in our abilities as well.
Work With a Utility Fire Lawyer to File Your Claim on Time
As we help you with your insurance claim negotiations, we monitor official investigations to determine whether you have the right to seek compensation from at-fault parties such as utility companies. This opens the door to potentially more financial relief, but it is critical that you take action within the California statutes of limitations. If you miss those deadlines, you could be left with fewer options for a full recovery.
Under California Code for Civil Procedure § 335.1, you have two years to file your lawsuit to recover payment for your physical injuries and medical bills. If you have property damage claims, you have three years from the date of the event to file under California Code of Civil Procedure §338. There could be some circumstances that shorten or lengthen these timelines, so you should speak with a Danko Meredith wildfire attorney as soon as possible after your loss.
Rely on a Danko Meredith Wildfire Lawyer Serving Greenville, CA
At Danko Meredith, we are dedicated to helping those whose homes and businesses have been ravaged by wildfire. From individuals to companies, we believe in holding wrongdoers accountable for the devastation they cause to you and your family. We fight to ensure that big utility companies like PG&E do not get away with their negligent actions.
If you need guidance for your claim, contact us to speak with a wildfire lawyer serving Greenville, CA, and all of Plumas County. Our decades of work in this field mean we can address every aspect of your case with superior skills in handling insurance and legal negotiations. Use our online form to begin rebuilding your life with our help today.