McKinney Fire Lawsuits
Recovering Damages After a California Wildfire
WildfireStrong is currently reviewing potential claims from victims who suffered losses because of the McKinney Fire. Although the fire is still under investigation, radio dispatches suggest that a problematic power line circuit owned by Pacific Power may have caused the blaze.
If you or your loved one were injured or killed in the McKinney Fire, or if you suffered damage to your home or business, you may have grounds to pursue financial compensation from Pacific Power or other responsible parties – even if you have already received payment from your insurance carrier.
McKinney Fire Damage
Since it began on July 29, 2022, the McKinney Fire has become California’s largest and deadliest wildfire of the year.
Propelled by severe thunderstorm winds, it has burned over 62,000 acres in the Klamath National Forest in Northern California, destroyed more than 100 homes and structures, and killed at least five victims – including a Buckhorn-Bally fire lookout and several residents in the town of Klamath River along State Route 96 in Siskiyou County.
Utility Power Line Under Investigation
Radio dispatches from responders to the McKinney Fire have revealed that the fire started under a power line circuit that had been experiencing problems just hours before the fire broke out. According to dispatches reviewed by NBC Bay Area, responders were called to what was described as a half-acre vegetation fire located “underneath the power line right of way.”
The power line circuit in question, the Scott Bar 12,000-volt distribution line, is operated by Pacific Power. The utility’s parent company, PacifiCorp, has stated that power went out for roughly 300 customers served by the Scott Bar circuit at 9:00pm on July 28th and was restored at 5:00am on July 29th, the day the McKinney Fire began. The company said it patrolled the entire course of the line but was unable to determine the cause of the outage.
As reported by local media, homeowners in the area now wonder whether the power outage and fire could be connected. One local resident who narrowly escaped the fire with his family also believes the power line, which was located next to his neighbor’s property and has since been taped off by officials, could have played a role.
Pacific Power and PacifiCorp have not commented on any investigation of its equipment, noting that: “Our understanding of the cause of the McKinney Fire remains under investigation and we continue to work with first responders in affected communities.”
WildfireStrong are known nationally for representing wildfire victims in complex litigation against utilities and insurance carriers.
Legal Support for McKinney Fire Victims
While the McKinney Fire is still under investigation, reports about the location of the fire’s origins and the work being performed on the power line the evening and morning before the fire erupted show that it’s reasonable to look further into whether utility company equipment may be involved.
As our attorneys at WildfireStrong are known for representing victims in California wildfire lawsuits, utility companies can be held liable for damages when their equipment and / or negligence are to blame. Still, formal investigations will be necessary before any conclusions can be made.
As we continue to investigate the underlying cause of this tragic fire, our attorneys at WildfireStrong are now speaking with property owners and victims looking for information about their options to recover their losses. These options may include:
- Inverse-condemnation claims, which entitle property owners to compensation for property damages or destroyed by a public use.
- Negligence lawsuits, which allow for a financial recovery of damages from at-fault utilities.
- Personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits to recover economic and non-economic losses.
- Insurance claims or bad faith litigation over unfair denials or delays of claims for covered losses
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Eligible?
Anybody affected by wildfires is eligible to file a claim, including, but not limited to:
- Anybody who lost their home or business
- Anybody who suffered property damage
- Uninsured homeowners
- Displaced renters
- Anybody who suffered emotional distress
How Long Do I Have?
Time is already running out to file a claim. You need to act immediately in order to file a claim against PG&E, SoCal Edison, Pacific Power and any other responsible party. We strongly urge that you, your family, neighbors and friends impacted by the wildfires sign up immediately.
Please understand that your time to act, sign up for a lawsuit, and file proof of claim is very short. Though you may have the right to recover right now, waiting will waive those rights. Please act now or you and anyone else with potential claims may be barred forever.
The Wildfire Strong Team
The Attorneys at Wildfire Strong specialize in bringing the law to your corner. We are dedicated to understanding what results you want and to helping you understand what actions we can take on your behalf. We will work with you every step of the way to make sure that you understand the choices you are making and feel empowered to make them.
A Team in Your Corner
Every morning, our legal team has a meeting to discuss our cases. This means that no matter who you go with in our firm, or on our team, the expertise of the whole team weighs in on your case. Our team has many years of experience dealing with wildfire victims, and we would be glad to represent you.
Practice Areas
- Environmental Litigation
- Inverse Condemnation
- Whistle Blower Cases
- Class Actions and Mass Torts
- Personal Injury
- Wrongful Death
- Civil Settlements
- Business Litigation
- Civil Litigation
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Our team has many years of experience and has a proven track record of success. We use that experience to help you down a path to the results you need. Check out our success stories, and then schedule your free phone consultation today.
