Practice Area
Wildfire
Litigation
When a wildfire takes everything, the path forward is not just about insurance — it is about accountability. Gerald Singleton and the team at Singleton Schreiber have represented more wildfire victims than any other law firm in the United States, recovering over $3 billion across more than 30 wildfires in California, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Colorado, and Texas.
Gerald currently serves as court-appointed liaison counsel in the Eaton Fire litigation in Los Angeles and the Dixie Fire litigation in San Francisco — two of the most significant active wildfire cases in the country. Whether you lost your home, your business, your crops, or a loved one, our team has the experience and resources to fight for the recovery you deserve.
From the Attorney
What You Need to Know Before You Call
Gerald Singleton explains how wildfire victims can hold utility companies accountable, what the claims process looks like from day one, and why having the right legal representation from the start can make the difference between a full recovery and leaving money on the table.
Watch to understand your rights — then contact our team for a free case evaluation.
Get a Free Evaluation →Scope of Representation
What Wildfire Victims
Can Recover
Property Damage & Rebuilding
Homes, commercial buildings, outbuildings, fencing, landscaping, and trees. Many policyholders are significantly underinsured — a lawsuit against the responsible utility can fill those gaps and recover the full cost of rebuilding what was lost.
Business & Income Loss
Lost revenue, interrupted operations, destroyed inventory, and the costs of temporary relocation. Business interruption losses are among the largest and most undercompensated categories for wildfire victims — and insurance policies rarely make them whole.
Personal Injury
Burns, respiratory injury from smoke inhalation, physical trauma during evacuation, and long-term health consequences from exposure to toxic debris and ash. Our team works with leading medical experts to document and value every injury — current and future.
Wrongful Death
When a wildfire takes a life, families deserve both accountability and full compensation for their loss. We have litigated wildfire wrongful death cases across multiple states and recovered over $11.5 million in a single wrongful death matter.
Agricultural & Tree Loss
Orchards, vineyards, livestock operations, ranches, and commercial tree operations represent some of the largest losses in wildfire litigation. We have recovered $21 million and $14 million in individual agricultural loss cases and understand the specialized valuation these claims require.
Evacuation Expenses
Emergency evacuation costs, temporary housing, hotel stays, storage fees, and the daily expenses of displacement add up quickly — especially when evacuation lasts weeks or months. These losses are fully recoverable and often overlooked in initial insurance claims.
Emotional Distress
The psychological toll of losing a home, a community, or a way of life is real and legally compensable. Insurance rarely covers emotional harm. Litigation against the responsible utility company does — and our team has experience quantifying and arguing these damages at trial.
Medical Monitoring
In 2023, Gerald Singleton and his team filed the first medical monitoring claim in the country to address carcinogens and dangerous toxins in wildfire smoke — opening a new avenue of recovery for those exposed even without a current diagnosis.
Insurance Bad Faith
When insurers delay, underpay, or wrongfully deny wildfire claims, they may be liable for bad faith — which can entitle victims to damages beyond the policy limits. Our team has the experience to identify bad faith conduct and pursue every dollar owed.
The Process
How Wildfire Litigation Works
Every fire is different. Every case is different. Wildfire litigation is complex, multi-party, and takes time to do right. Most cases resolve over a period of three to five years — sometimes longer when litigation goes to trial or involves federal entities. We move as fast as the law allows, but our focus is always on recovering the most we can for you, not the fastest settlement we can close. We will keep you informed every step of the way.
Track Record
Selected Case Results
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is unique.
Active & Recent Litigation
Wildfires We Are Fighting
Common Questions
Wildfire Litigation FAQ
Any individual, business, or public entity that suffered losses due to a wildfire caused by a utility company's negligence may be eligible to file a claim. This includes homeowners, renters, business owners, agricultural operations, and those who suffered personal injury or lost a family member. Even those with insurance coverage may have uncompensated losses that a lawsuit can address.
Wildfire victims may recover compensation for property damage and rebuilding costs, loss of personal belongings, evacuation and temporary living expenses, lost income and business interruption, agricultural and tree loss, personal injury and medical expenses, emotional distress, and wrongful death. Many of these categories are not fully covered by insurance. That is exactly where litigation against the responsible party can fill the gap.
Wildfire causation is established through fire origin and cause investigations, utility maintenance records, vegetation management reports, equipment inspection data, and expert testimony. Utility companies are legally required to maintain their infrastructure and manage vegetation in fire-prone areas. When they fail that obligation, the resulting harm creates legal liability. Our team moves quickly to secure evidence before it can be lost or destroyed.
In California, the statute of limitations for wildfire property damage and personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the fire. Deadlines vary by state and by the type of claim. Claims against federal entities such as the United States government may have shorter deadlines. Do not wait. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better positioned you are to preserve evidence and protect your rights.
Yes. In most cases, insurance rarely covers the full scope of wildfire losses. Many policyholders are underinsured, and entire categories of damages including emotional distress, tree and landscaping loss, and agricultural losses are either excluded or severely limited under standard policies. A successful lawsuit against the responsible utility company can recover what insurance leaves behind.
Nothing upfront. Singleton Schreiber handles all wildfire litigation on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. The firm also advances the costs of experts, investigation, and litigation, which are repaid only from a successful recovery. There is no financial risk in reaching out.
Free Case Evaluation
Were You Affected by a Wildfire?
Contact our team today. No fees unless we recover for you — and the consultation is always free. Gerald's team is ready to fight for what you lost.
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