Nationwide Wildfire Lawsuits

Property damage, health impacts & utility negligence • Free, no-risk case review • Nationwide representation

Quick Facts: Nationwide Wildfire Lawsuits

If wildfire damage has destroyed your property or harmed your health you may be eligible for compensation.

  • Devastating Scope: In the past decade, California wildfires have burned over 10 million acres and destroyed more than 100,000 structures, while Texas wildfires like the 2011 Bastrop Complex Fire consumed 34,000 acres and 1,700 homes.
  • Utility Negligence: Major utility companies—including PG&E and local cooperatives in Texas—face lawsuits alleging failure to maintain power lines and equipment, sparking deadly infernos.
  • Health & Environmental Impact: Wildfire smoke exposure spikes respiratory hospital visits by up to 40%, causing exacerbated asthma, COPD flare-ups, and other serious health conditions.

Free Wildfire Case Review

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Do You Qualify for a Wildfire Lawsuit?

Medical Criteria

Most claimants meet at least one of the following:

  • Owned, leased, or rented real property in a wildfire-impacted area
  • Suffered structural damage or total loss to your home, outbuildings, vehicles, or personal belongings
  • Experienced serious health issues (asthma attacks, COPD exacerbations, cardiac events) linked to wildfire smoke exposure
  • Incurred lost income or business interruption due to fire damage, evacuations, or power outages
  • Have reason to believe a utility company’s negligence (PG&E in CA or local cooperatives in TX) caused or worsened the fire
  • Lost a loved one in a wildfire and wish to pursue a wrongful-death claim

Preferred Documentation

If you don’t yet have these, our team can help you secure them

  • Insurance claims, FEMA or Cal OES damage assessments, and adjuster reports
  • Date-stamped photos or videos of fire damage and smoke conditions
  • Medical records, hospital bills, and physician statements linking conditions to smoke exposure
  • Business records, payroll logs, or tax returns showing interruption losses
  • Utility correspondence, outage notifications, or repair orders indicating equipment failures
  • Death certificates and autopsy reports for wrongful-death cases

Even if you’re unsure about your paperwork, our legal team can help you track down what’s needed and confirm your eligibility.
Get a free free wildfire case review →

Wildfire Harm & Smoke Exposure Symptoms

Medical/Health

Smoke Inhalation Injuries
Eye & Skin Irritation
Respiratory Illness Exacerbation

Property/Financial

Structural Damage
Nausea or vomiting
Lost Income
Skin irritation or burns
Evacuation & Displacement Costs

ALERT: Early treatment for wildfire smoke exposure—and documenting property damage – can protect your health and strengthen your wildfire lawsuit.

California Wildfire Lawsuit Timeline

Key California Wildfire Litigation Milestones

2018

November 13, 2018: Camp Fire Lawsuits Filed

Paradise-area residents filed suit against PG&E, alleging faulty electrical equipment caused California’s deadliest wildfire. Read about the Camp Fire litigation
2020

June 16, 2020: PG&E Pleads Guilty & Settlement Moves Forward

PG&E pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for the Camp Fire and its $13.5 billion Fire Victim Trust began compensating victims.

Texas Wildfire Lawsuit Timeline

While no new MDLs have formed, individual wildfire claims in Texas continue to be filed against utilities and contractors in state court.

2011

September 29, 2011: AG Paxton Sues Asplundh

The Texas Attorney General filed a negligence suit against Asplundh Tree Expert Co., alleging poorly maintained easements sparked the Bastrop Complex Fire. Read the Texas AG’s Asplundh lawsuit
2020

February 13, 2020: $5 Million Settlement Reached

A $5 million settlement resolved claims by Bastrop County and local districts against Asplundh and Bluebonnet Electric over fire damage.

Harmed by Wildfires?

If you – or someone you love – suffered property damage, health issues, or financial losses from a wildfire,
contact us for a free, no-obligation case review.

With over 30 years of mass-tort experience and more than $100 million recovered for clients nationwide,
The Johnson Law Firm has the resources and expertise to pursue your wildfire lawsuit on a contingency-fee basis –
you pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.

Real Results From Real Clients

“My dad was quite happy with the job his lawyers at JLF did for him.  JLF got the job done.  He didn’t expect to get the amount of money that he did and he was quite pleased.”
Charles J.

Firefighters battling flames and smoke during a disaster related to nationwide wildfire lawsuits

How a Wildfire Lawsuit Works

When a wildfire caused by utility negligence or equipment failure damages your property or health, U.S. tort law allows you to seek compensation. Here’s the process:

  • Incident Investigation: Our team reviews fire-cause reports, CAL FIRE or Texas A&M Forest Service investigations, and utility records to establish negligence or equipment failure.
  • Case Consolidation & Venue Selection: For large California fires, claims may be coordinated through PG&E’s Chapter 11 Fire Victim Trust; Texas claims often proceed in state courts where individual negligence suits are filed.
  • Evidence Gathering: We collect photos, insurance and FEMA damage assessments, medical records for smoke-related illnesses, and financial documents (lost wages, business interruption).
  • Liability Theories:
  • Negligent Maintenance: Utilities failed to trim vegetation or repair faulty power lines.
  • Public Nuisance & Trespass: Excessive smoke, heat, or debris invaded properties beyond the utility right-of-way.
  • Design Defect: Equipment malfunctions or defective components caused ignition.
  • Compensation Available: Recoverable damages include property repair or replacement costs, medical expenses, lost income, relocation expenses, and non-economic awards for pain and suffering.
  • Settlement Negotiations & Trial: We negotiate aggressively with insurers or the Fire Victim Trust, leveraging expert reports. If a fair settlement isn’t reached, we’re prepared to take your case to trial.
  • Contingency-Fee Promise: No upfront costs – our fee is a percentage of any recovery we secure, aligning our success directly with yours.

Results-Driven Representation: Focus on rebuilding your life while we fight for the maximum compensation you deserve in your wildfire lawsuit.

Our Wildfire Lawsuit Process

At The Johnson Law Firm, we guide you through every step of your wildfire claim—combining deep utility-liability expertise, top fire-science consultants, and aggressive advocacy to maximize your recovery.

Our Process:

  • Free Case Review: We evaluate your fire-cause reports, damage assessments, and medical records at no cost to confirm your eligibility.
  • Investigation & Expert Analysis: Our team works with fire-cause investigators, electrical engineers, and forestry experts to pinpoint the origin and prove utility negligence or equipment failure.
  • Evidence Collection: We gather CAL FIRE or Texas A&M Forest Service reports, insurance and FEMA damage documents, medical records, and financial records (lost income, relocation costs).
  • Coordinated Claims & Filings:
  • We assist you in filing claims through PG&E’s Fire Victim Trust or pursuing litigation in bankruptcy court.
  • We can file state-court negligence suits against utilities or contractors in the county where your property is located.
  • Settlement Negotiations & Trial Advocacy: We negotiate aggressively with trustees, insurers, or utility defendants. If a fair settlement isn’t offered, we’ll take your case to trial to pursue the maximum compensation.
  • Contingency‐Fee Promise: No upfront costs – our fee comes only if we secure compensation for you, aligning our interests with yours.

Results-Driven Representation: Focus on rebuilding your life while we fight for the maximum compensation you deserve in your wildfire lawsuit.

Nationwide Wildfire Lawsuits FAQS

Liability often falls on utility companies (like PG&E in California or local cooperatives in Texas) for failing to maintain equipment, or on third-party contractors whose activities ignite fires. Individual negligence claims may also be filed against property owners or contractors.

You may be able to recover property repair or replacement costs, medical expenses for smoke-related injuries, lost income, relocation and living-expense costs, business interruption losses, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering or wrongful-death awards.

You likely qualify if you:
– Owned, leased, or rented a home or business in wildfire-impacted areas of California or Texas
– Suffered structural damage, total loss, or significant smoke-related health issues
– Incurred financial losses (evacuation expenses, lost wages, business interruption)
– Have evidence suggesting utility negligence or defective equipment caused the fire

Statutes of limitation vary by state – typically two to four years from the date of fire damage or diagnosis of a smoke-related illness. It’s crucial to act promptly to secure your right to compensation.

Many wildfire claims resolve through negotiated settlements – especially those filed through PG&E’s Fire Victim Trust in California. If a fair settlement isn’t reached, we’ll vigorously litigate your case at trial.

No – you do not need to have had insurance. While insurance payouts can affect how claims are handled, uninsured homeowners and renters can still pursue negligence claims against liable parties.

We work on a contingency-fee basis – there are no upfront costs, and our fee is a percentage of the recovery we secure for you. You owe us nothing unless we win compensation on your behalf.

Ready for Your Free Wildfire Lawsuit Case Review?

Our experienced legal team is standing by to evaluate your claim at no cost – no obligation and no upfront fees.

Trusted nationwide. Thousands of clients. Millions recovered. No fees unless we win.