Wildfire Litigation / Public Utility Regulation
The Frantz Law Group Wildfire Team seeks recovery of losses that are not covered by the insurance company. From Frantz Law Group’s experience representing fire victims, most families find that 30%-50% of their losses are not covered by insurance.* Damages that are not fully covered (or covered at all) by insurance may include rebuilding/repairing the home, replacing personal property and landscaping (including large trees). Frantz Law Group does not charge attorney fees on undisputed compensation received from homeowners insurance for rebuilding and repairs. Attorney fees are only charged on compensation
received from the public utility (for losses that the insurance policy does not cover). UNDER-INSURED/UNINSURED LOSSES Homeowners insurance may not cover the full cost of your losses, including the cost of rebuilding your home, especially if there has been an appreciation in value or changes in building code requirements. Frantz Law Group also finds that insurance policies often do not provide sufficient coverage for replacement of trees and other landscaping. • Landscaping Damage Landscaping coverage is usually a small portion of the overall insurance policy coverage that often excludes repairs for post-fire erosion control and replacement of native vegetation and large trees. The insurance company will likely try to replace burned trees with small saplings. The public utility that causes the wildfire may be required to replace damaged trees and vegetation with like kind, size and species . • Experts - Property Damage Frantz Law Group’s arborists tour damaged properties and inspect the damage related to the landscaping and trees prior to removal of debris. Frantz Law Group also utilizes aerial photography, thereby preserving this evidence to demonstrate the condition of the property prior to any clean- up and rebuilding. Frantz Law Group retains landscape architects, real property appraisers and construction estimators. Each of these experts has significant experience assessing all damages caused by a wildfire including the cost of repair and/or replacement as well as diminution/loss in value of real property. • Evacuation and Additional Living Expenses As a result of the significant fire damage or destruction, displacement from the home may last for months or even years during the repair and rebuilding process. Often these expenses are not covered sufficiently by insurance. Therefore, Frantz Law Group makes claims against the public utility for these expenses as well. • Annoyance, Discomfort and Emotional Distress These damages are NOT covered by your homeowners insurance policy. Homeowners insurance will not reimburse victims for the annoyance, discomfort and emotional distress suffered as a result of losing the home and all personal property. Relocation, repairing and/or rebuilding, and replacing personal property can be overwhelming. Homeowners insurance will not cover the discomfort of losing irreplaceable family heirlooms. The best way to obtain compensation for these losses is to file a claim against the negligent parties.
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