California Fire Lawyers Open Sonoma County Office to Help Wildfire Victims Recover from Financial Losses, Assess Legal Options

Firms are providing legal counsel and recovery support to advocate for residents’ rights during costly rebuilding process

SONOMA, Calif.--()--After what has been called the most devastating and deadly fire in California history, nationally recognized wildfire attorneys from Baron & Budd, Singleton Law Firm, and Dixon Diab & Chambers LLP have opened a Sonoma County office to provide fire victims in Sonoma and surrounding counties with information regarding their legal rights. The firms are providing counsel on insurance, how to find various forms of assistance and continuing their investigation of PG&E or other corporate entities that may have been responsible for starting the fires. Numerous residents have retained the firms to investigate the cause of the fire and litigate on their behalf if it is determined that a third party was responsible for the blaze.

There are many legal considerations fire victims need to know and evaluate as they seek to recover from fire damages. For example, initial investigations and early indications link fire damages to corporate negligence caused by PG&E, one of the largest gas and electric utility providers in the country serving more than 16 million people in Northern and Central California. Fire victims are also facing imbalances between estimated costs to rebuild their homes and the amount of coverage provided by their homeowners’ insurance policies; in many cases, this gap is significant, even for those that believe they have “complete” coverage, with significant underinsurance for landscaping, erosion and other types of damages.

According to Cal Fire, the Northern California fires have already claimed 42 lives, forced 100,000 residents to evacuate, and destroyed an estimated 8,400 structures. The Tubbs fire alone has been determined to be the most destructive wildfire in California’s history. By comparison, the 2015 Butte fires took two lives and destroyed more than 900 homes, businesses and other structures. Baron & Budd, Singleton Law Firm, and Dixon Diab & Chambers LLP are currently seeking to hold PG&E accountable for its role in the 2015 Butte fires.

“Our hearts are with the residents of Sonoma and Northern California during this time of recovery,” said Baron & Budd attorney John Fiske. “Our firms are actively advocating for residents, helping people understand their legal rights and providing support in any way we can, which includes investigating the cause of the fires. If PG&E is found to be a cause of or contributor to this disaster, the California Fire Lawyers believe we have an obligation to hold them accountable for their actions.”

The three firms, known collectively as the California Fire Lawyers, have hired investigators, experts and adjusters to expedite the recovery process for victims.

On October 16, the firms held an information session with more than 175 attendees. On October 19, the firms opened their Sonoma Office at 418 B Street, First floor, Santa Rosa, CA 95401. To inquire by phone, call 707-533-8128. Other information can be found online at www.CaliforniaFireLawyers.com.

ABOUT BARON & BUDD, P.C.

The law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C., with offices in Dallas, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Austin, Los Angeles, and San Diego, is a nationally recognized law firm with a nearly 40-year history of “Protecting What’s Right” for people, communities and businesses harmed by negligence. Baron & Budd’s size and resources enable the firm to take on large and complex cases. The firm represents individuals and government and business entities in areas as diverse as dangerous pharmaceuticals and medical devices, environmental contamination, the Gulf oil spill, financial fraud, overtime violations, deceptive advertising, automotive defects, trucking accidents, nursing home abuse, and asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma.

ABOUT SINGLETON LAW FIRM, APC

Singleton Law Firm, based in San Diego, is one of the top fire litigation firms in the state of California. We have represented thousands of individuals in major fires all over the state of California, and we have recovered over $600 million for our clients in fire cases. Our lead attorney, Gerald Singleton, has served as Liaison Counsel and on the Executive Committees in some of the largest fires in the state. We currently represent over 2,000 individuals in the 2015 Butte Fire, which was a catastrophic fire started by PG&E power lines that burned over 70,000 acres in Calaveras and Amador counties. We recently represented the largest individual group of plaintiffs in the 2013 Powerhouse Fire in Los Angeles County, and Mr. Singleton served as Liaison Counsel for that case. Prior to the Powerhouse Fire, Singleton Law Firm was one of four firms who teamed up in a joint venture to represent over 1,600 individuals in the 2007 San Diego Fires. Although we specialize in high value cases, we represent individuals and business with all types of damages, from wrongful deaths to homeowners to renters.

ABOUT DIXON DIAB & CHAMBERS LLP

The lawyers at Dixon Diab & Chambers LLP have gained national recognition as being some of the top litigators in their respective areas of practice. Ed Diab leads the firm’s fire litigation practice and has litigated numerous wildfire cases throughout the country. He was actively involved in the widely publicized lawsuit against Pacific Gas & Electric arising out of the 2010 San Bruno Gas Pipeline Explosion that leveled 38 homes and killed 8. He also currently represents numerous people in lawsuits against Pacific Gas & Electric that sustained significant property damages arising out of the 2015 Butte Fire in Amador/Calaveras County that burned over 70,000 acres. Both Deborah Dixon and Robert Chambers have significant experience litigating complex, multi-party lawsuits against entities and insurance companies on behalf of individuals and businesses. Their experience in personal injury, business litigation, products liability and class actions provide integral background for fire cases, as does their direct experience handling claims on behalf of victims who suffered personal injury and property damages because of fires.

Contacts

Baron & Budd, P.C.
Bradley Bowen, 214-523-6633

Release Summary

The California Fire Lawyers group has opened a Sonoma County office in Santa Rosa, CA, to provide legal counsel and support to victims of wildfires.

Contacts

Baron & Budd, P.C.
Bradley Bowen, 214-523-6633