California Utility Fire Lawyer

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and other California utility companies owe to the public a duty to be careful when installing, inspecting, maintaining, and operating their facilities. The failure to discharge that duty is negligence. When a utility’s negligence results in a fire or explosion, the utility company is responsible for the resulting harm.

The most important choice you can make is who you hire as your attorney in these kinds of cases. Danko Meredith is on your side. Our law office in Redwood City, CA has helped ordinary Californians hold utility companies, corporations, and powerful interests accountable for their negligence.

For help with your claim arising from a utility-caused explosion or blaze, contact our CA trial lawyers. You can also set up a free consultation with the trial attorneys of Danko Meredith by calling (650) 453-3600.

Were You Affected by the January 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires?

2025 began with multiple catastrophic wildfires in the Los Angeles metropolitan area: most notably the Palisades Fire, the Eaton Fire, and the Hurst Fire.

The Palisades and Eaton fires are the most destructive and second-most-destructive wildfires in the history of Southern California, respectively. The Eaton Fire in particular decimated homes in Altadena, a neighborhood where many working families lived.

Altadena residents affected by the Eaton Fire have begun filing lawsuits against Southern California Edison (SCE), whose negligence may have caused or contributed to the catastrophic loss of homes. Our trial lawyers will continue to monitor the Greater Los Angeles County Wildfires and provide more information as it comes to us.

Learn More About the January 2025 LA Wildfires

Why Choose Our CA Utility Wildfire Attorneys

There are many reasons why you should reach out to Danko Meredith for help after losing your home or a loved one in a fire.

More Than 120 Years of Combined Experience

The trial lawyers of Danko Meredith have more than 12 decades of combined experience practicing law. We can use this collective knowledge to your advantage while we put utility companies on notice.

99% Success Rate Thanks to Expert Witnesses

Danko Meredith’s success rate in cases is over 99%. This is largely thanks to expert witnesses. Our law firm has access to some of the country’s best and most trusted authorities on utility-caused wildfires, including credentialed economists, engineers, medical professionals, and life care planners.

Familiarity with Mass Torts for Utility-Caused Wildfire

Danko Meredith has represented thousands of victims of utility-caused fires throughout California. We’ve even assisted people who’ve lost their homes and livelihoods in the 2023 Maui wildfires. Our attorneys understand what’s been lost and why normal people need steadfast advocates against utility companies.

We Aren’t Afraid to Take Corporations to Trial

Danko Meredith has a proven record against utilities and other large companies or interests. We won’t be intimidated by a company’s financial resources or massive defense teams. We will force them into court when it’s best for our clients. Even when we’re out-numbered, we’re never out-lawyered.

A Record of High-Value Verdicts and Settlements

Our law firm has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for clients. The high value of these successful case results reflect the devastating effects of fires and catastrophic injuries that cause people to lose everything.

Free Consultations and Contingency Fee Representation

Danko Meredith offers complimentary consultations and works with clients under a contingency fee agreement. You only pay our lawyers if we successfully obtain compensation. If we are unable to secure compensation, you owe us nothing. This allows working people and middle class families to seek legal remediation without any further financial losses or obstacles.

Hold California Utility Companies Accountable: Contact Danko Meredith

Danko Meredith can help working Californians seek compensation when utility companies fail to protect vulnerable homes and households from harm. We have the resources to fight large entities in court so our clients don’t get shortchanged for their losses.

To speak with our CA wildfire trial attorneys, contact us for a free consultation. You can also reach our Redwood City law office at (650) 453-3600.

Our Experience on CA Utility-Caused Wildfire Cases

Danko Meredith has represented thousands of California wildfires victims, winning substantial recoveries for our clients.

The Butte Fire (2015)

The Butte Fire was caused by a tree that was leaning up against a PG&E power line. The wildfire burned 70,000 acres in Amador and Calaveras Counties and destroyed hundreds of homes.

PG&E hired an independent tree trimming contractor to keep their power lines clear of any potential hazards. While PG&E claimed the fire was caused by the contractor, Danko Meredith proved that PG&E did not provide proper training to the contractor on how to clear hazards from around power lines.

Our lawyers recovered more than $100 million for clients affected by the Butte Fire.

The Camp Fire (2018)

The Camp Fire was caused by the failure of a poorly maintained transmission line in Feather River Canyon. The fire caused 84 deaths and wiped out 15,000 homes, destroying the town of Paradise in the process.

Internal documents revealed that PG&E was aware of the faulty transmission line but decided to defer the necessary repair work. This evidence we uncovered led to PG&E being convicted of 84 counts of felony manslaughter.

Our law firm made PG&E pay $10 billion into a trust for Camp Fire survivors. Even when PG&E filed for bankruptcy, we ensured that Camp Fire claimants would not be shortchanged.

The Dixie Fire (2021)

The Dixie Fire was caused by a fir tree leaning up against a 12-kilovolt power distribution line in Feather River Canyon. The massive wildfire burned more than 960,000 acres, affecting numerous communities throughout the Sierra Nevada.

Our attorneys can help homeowners, renters, and business owners who were adversely affected by the Dixie Fire and PG&E’s negligence.

Helping Wildfire Survivors Put Their Lives Back Together

The compensation we’ve obtained for wildfire clients has helped these survivors move forward in numerous ways. The decision of how to use their settlement or verdict amount is ultimately up to them, but the compensation has helped address:

• The value of a lost home
• The cost of rebuilding or relocating
• The loss of personal belongings
• The loss of irreplaceable family keepsakes
• The death of family members and pets
• The cost of medical care for injuries
• The loss of income due to evacuation
• The loss of a business
• The worry, anxiety, and emotional distress caused by the experience

Use Our Experience to Your Advantage: Contact Danko Meredith Today

Don’t just count on your insurance to cover the full extent of your losses in a wildfire. Even the best insurance policies won’t cover the full cost of rebuilding your property, replanting lost trees, or the intangible costs of losing family photo albums and other irreplaceable items.

Find out what your traumatic experience is actually worth. Contact our California wildfire attorneys for a free case review. You can also reach Danko Meredith by phone at (650) 453-3600.

What Causes Utility-Related Fires?

Despite laws currently in place, companies such as PG&E, SCE, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDGE), and PacifiCorp/Pacific Power continue to cause explosions and fires. In just the past few years, PG&E fires have caused hundreds of wrongful deaths, thousands of injuries, and billions of dollars in property damage.

Given California’s long history of utility fires, the causes are no mystery. They are almost always the result of the utility placing corporate profits over the safety of the public. 

The “Run to Failure” Mentality

“Run to failure” epitomizes profits over public safety. “Run to failure” means that utility companies think it’s cheaper to let aging or damaged equipment break down rather than doing any immediate necessary repairs. During fire season, this could spell disaster for thousands of residents or businesses who live near failing utility company equipment.

Improper Installation of Pipelines or Power Lines

If gas pipelines or power lines are not installed properly, there’s a risk of catastrophic failure that could cause or contribute to a wildfire. In addition to installation, we expect utility companies to properly inspect their work to identify and fix any causes for concern.

Lack of Utility Equipment Maintenance or Repairs

Power lines, towers, and other equipment will naturally fall into disrepair as they are exposed to the elements. In addition to periodic inspections, utility companies should be doing regular maintenance and repairs to ensure that their equipment operates safely.

Failure to Clear Away Vegetation from Power Lines

Trees and tree limbs can dry out from extended drought conditions or prolonged heatwaves. If a tree or branches make contact with power lines, it could spark a fire that causes severe destruction. Utility companies have a duty to keep trees, tree limbs, branches, and other vegetation trimmed back from power lines.

Failure to Turn Off Power During Dry and Windy Conditions

California can be hit by severe winds. Heavy gusts aren’t just a hazard for individuals or businesses. Severe winds could potentially knock down power lines or other utility company equipment. When high winds pose a danger, utility companies need to shut off power to prevent fires from occurring.

Hiring Negligent Outside Contractors

California utility companies sometimes hire contractors to handle inspections, repairs, and other duties related to tree pruning and upkeep. When negligence leads to fires in these situations, it’s possible for the contractor to be held accountable if they acted negligent in their duties. However, the utility company may also be liable for the wildfire if they did not properly train the contractor in their duties.

Factors That Make California Wildfires Worse

California’s climate and other factors make wildfires common and difficult for firefighters to contain.

Wet Weather Followed by Drought Conditions

California’s extreme weather patterns fluctuate between heavy rainfall and heatwaves followed by drought conditions. The precipitation leads to lush greenery until the hotter months, when the heat and low humidity dries out trees and other vegetation. These are optimal conditions for major brush fires.

Strong Santa Ana Winds

Strong winds make fires difficult to fight throughout California. Wildfires can spread quickly over dry brush with a gust of wind, causing embers to jump over highways. This creates new brush fires to fight outside of any contained areas.

In the Los Angeles Basic and other parts of Southern California, the dry and hot Santa Ana winds prove especially challenging. Santa Ana wind events happen multiple times every year, with sustained gusts sometimes exceeding 90mph in certain areas.

The Effects of Climate Change

All of the hazards listed above are exacerbated by the ongoing climate crisis. Both Northern and Southern California have been deluged by atmospheric rivers and dried out by heatwaves. These extremes have extended the length of the state’s fire season, with ample fuel available for the next catastrophic wildfire.

As these extreme weather conditions become the norm, wildfires will become both more common in California and more difficult to contain. That’s why utility companies must be diligent with maintenance and upkeep of their lines and equipment.

Contact the CA Wildfire Trial Lawyers at Danko Meredith

As Californians, we know the fire risks when we drive down the highway and look at the hills around us. Utility companies need to do their part in protecting people and the places they live. If you’ve been affected by a California wildfire caused by a utility company, contact the trial attorneys at Danko Meredith. You can also request a free consultation by phone at (650) 453-3600.

Wildfire Dangers Along the North Coast

Numerous communities in Del Norte County, Humboldt County, and Mendocino County are susceptible to severe wildfires. This is particularly true as heavy rains and extended dry seasons seem to be the new normal. The steep terrain in many areas along the North Coast can make wildfires challenging to contain, allowing them to spread quickly.

Wildfire Dangers in the Shasta Cascade and Sierra Nevada Regions

There’s a massive wildfire risk whenever dry conditions affect the national forests in the northernmost parts of California and along the Sierra Nevada mountain range. We’ve already discussed the losses caused by the Butte Fire, the Camp Fire, and the Dixie Fire, all of which occurred in this region as a result of negligence by PG&E. Future wildfires in this region will affect life in places like Redding, Chico, and communities nestled in and around the mountains and Lake Tahoe.

Wildfire Dangers in Wine Country

Both Napa and Sonoma Counties were affected by the Glass Fire in 2020, the cause of which is still undetermined. These wildfires don’t just affect wine production but also impact the lives of working people and middle class families who live in places like Santa Rosa and Petaluma. The fire hazards continue south of wine country into Lake County, which was most recently affected by the Boyles Fire. According to the California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force, 70% of Lake County has been burned since 2015.

Wildfire Dangers Around the Bay Area

While the city of San Francisco is safe from a wildfire, there are numerous Bay Area communities that could be devastated by a utility-caused blaze. Hillside homes in Marin County to the north and San Mateo County along the peninsula could be wiped out in a serious fire. The danger also extends to parts of Santa Clara and Alameda counties should there be a utility fire in the Santa Cruz Mountains or the Diablo Range.

Wildfire Dangers Along the Central Coast

The 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fires revealed just how vulnerable Santa Cruz and nearby communities were in a wildfire. This danger extends down along the coast from Los Osos and San Luis Obispo all the way to Santa Barbara. Accessing some of these communities to put out fires can be difficult given the mountains and the potential for heavy traffic along the Pacific Coast Highway as residents flee their homes for safety.

Wildfire Dangers in Southern California

As noted above, the 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires have caused immense devastation and heartache. The sheer amount of damage has been exacerbated by dry conditions and heavy Santa Ana winds. The wildfire dangers are also present in San Diego County, particularly away from the braces to inland areas like Santee or El Cajon. The San Diego area was greatly affected by the Cedar Fire in 2003, which was the most destructive fire in Southern California until the LA fires of 2025.

Contact Our CA Wildfire Attorneys for a Free Consultation

No matter where you are in California, you can count on the trial attorneys of Danko Meredith. We are not intimidated by utility companies or their legal war chests. We have the resources to fight for wildfire survivors. Even when companies declare bankruptcy, we will make sure you are not shortchanged.

To discuss your case in a free consultation, contact our CA wildfire attorneys today. You can also reach our Redwood City law office by phone at (650) 453-3600.

Tips for Wildfire Preparedness and Emergency Evacuations

Our trial lawyers work closely with clients who’ve lost everything or almost everything in wildfires. Over the years, they’ve shared their experiences with us, including things they wish they knew about what to pack when a wildfire is near and how to prepare for an evacuation.

Below are some of the advice we’ve compiled from our clients. We hope it helps other Californians find safety during a fire emergency.

Pack and Prepare Before You Need to Leave

You may only have seconds to evacuate your home as a wildfire spreads. Being ready ahead of time is essential. Even before you’re listed in an evacuation zone, gather the most important items early and pack them up in your car. 

Grab the Things That Cannot Be Replaced

You might think of packing items you will need on a trip, like clothes and toiletries. You can get those things from donations or a store in the coming days. Instead, focus on the belongings that cannot be replaced: photo albums, family heirlooms, and treasured keepsakes.

Gather Your Pets and Animals Early

Animals get very skittish when a fire approaches. They will often hide in places that can be hard to reach and get them out of. Make sure your pets or animals are on a leash or in a travel kennel ahead of time. Even if it seems mean to keep them in a carrier or on a leash longer than necessary, it is better to have them there with you and ready to go than leaving them behind.

Get Your Car Ready to Evacuate

Do not leave your car in the garage. The power may fail during a wildfire, trapping your vehicle in the process. Instead, back your car, truck, or SUV into the driveway so it is ready at a moment’s notice.

Do a Video Walkthrough of Your Home (If You Have Time)

Insurance companies often need an inventory of what was lost in your home. A quick walkthrough video of your house and belongings can help catalog many of the items that were destroyed in a fire. This could result in tens or hundreds of thousands more dollars from your insurance company. 

Get Out as Soon as You’re Told to Evacuate

Firefighters will prioritize rescuing someone from a burning home before putting out the fire. Evacuate early to give firefighters all the time they need to protect your property and your neighbors’ property.

Do Not Stay Behind to Fight the Fire Yourself

As a fire gets closer, municipal water and electricity often fail. You do not have the training, equipment, or resources to fight a wildfire. Protect yourself and leave the firefighting to the firefighters.

Our Trial Lawyers Can Help If You’ve Lost Everything in a Wildfire

Even if you have insurance, it’s worth discussing your wildfire experience with our trial lawyers. At Danko Meredith, our attorneys have taken on California utility companies numerous times, and we will fight for you to hold them accountable.

Contact our CA fire trial lawyers today to request a free consultation. You can also reach us by phone at  at (650) 453-3600.