Our hearts go out to anyone who has suffered loss in this fire. So many have been hurt or killed, lost their homes, property, and much more. It is truly inspiring to see the community come together to help those in need. As a wildfire attorney, Belal Hamideh can help you to receive compensation for losses you suffered. If you or someone you love were hurt, lost your home, or suffered damage to your property or your business, Belal can help.
With everything you may have to deal with after the Eaton fire, it’s understandable if reaching out to an attorney is not high on your list of priorities. That said, the sooner you or someone you love contact an attorney, the sooner you may be able to receive the compensation that you deserve.
How a Wildfire Attorney Can Help With the Eaton Fire
A fire damage claim attorney can help you through every stage of the lawsuit process. First, we offer free case evaluations. There, you’ll sit down with Belal Hamideh. During this, he’ll ask you about your situation, what happened, and so forth. Always, he listens with compassion, respect, and discretion.
During this, he’ll let you know exactly what your claim may be worth. He’ll lay it out for you in simple detail. He won’t just tell you what you could receive, however, he’ll explain how he’ll go about making sure that you get it. Then, he’ll work tirelessly to get you everything that you should.
Every fire damage claim is different. Many may require extensive investigation, which Belal is more than happy and qualified to conduct. Using the information gleaned from that, he’ll put together the best, most compelling case on your behalf.
It’s important to note that Belal doesn’t just negotiate with the other side and leave you alone. Far from it. He’ll be in touch throughout the case, letting you know exactly how it’s going.
Moreover, on the subject of insurance companies, Belal can help significantly there, too. When you sign with Belal, he’ll be there to help you should you encounter any issues with your homeowners insurance.
A strong majority of these cases end in negotiation. He’ll let you know what offers they’ve made and when. Additionally, he’ll tell you if that’s a good deal, too. That way, you’re always informed about your case so that you can make the best decision for you and yours.
However, if the other side doesn’t act reasonably, Belal looks forward to representing clients in trial. Regardless of what’s required, Belal Hamideh fights for his clients to get them the compensation they deserve.
The Eaton Fire In-Depth
The fifth deadliest fire in California history, the Eaton Fire has, as of this writing, killed 17. Spreading to a maximum of roughly 14,177 acres, the fire is one of the most dangerous California has ever seen. 24 people are still missing in the wake of the fire.
Starting at some point on the night of 1/7/25, in the San Gabriel Mountains’ Eaton Canyon, the fire spread rapidly. At its worst, the fire necessitated the evacuation of Altadena, La Canada Flintridge, Kinneloa Mesa, as well as portions of Glendale, Pasadena, Monrovia, Arcadia, Sierra Madre and elsewhere.
In total, around 100,000 residents were placed on evacuation orders. Around 21,00 structures were placed under evacuation orders as well. Somewhere near 7,500 structures were reported destroyed, including more than 4,300 single-family homes and 120 commercial buildings, with those numbers, unfortunately, likely to climb.
This is just a snapshot of the devastation. This page has been written around one week after the worst of the fires. By the time you read this, those numbers will most likely be higher, with more structures destroyed and more people missing or dead.
If you suffered a loss, any kind of loss as a result of this fire, it’s worth it to contact an attorney. That way, you can know the truth.
How Do I Pay for a Wildfire Lawyer?
Belal Hamideh works on contingency. That means you do not have to pay for Belal to represent you out of your own pocket. We understand how challenging this time must be and that the last thing you want to do is to pay for an attorney. So, you don’t have to pay for our services up front. In fact, our payment will come out of your eventual winnings, your settlement.
If we don’t win, then you don’t have to pay for Belal. That having been said, Belal wins 99% of the time. You don’t have to worry about paying an attorney. Belal is here to help those who were hurt in the fire.
Why Should I Contact an Attorney When I Have Insurance?
In short, because the insurance only covers so much. Additionally, your insurance may try to lowball or outright deny your claim.
The truth is that just about no one has homeowners’ insurance that covers their house if it burns down. Essentially nobody in California has a policy that covers that. Yes, hopefully, you are set to receive some compensation from your homeowners’ insurance. Additionally, you may receive some money from FEMA as well.
Unfortunately, there is also likely to be underinsured or uncovered losses following the fire. For those, your insurance will most likely not cover them. This is all the more reason to reach out to an experienced attorney. Belal can help you to recover these damages and more for all that you’ve been through.
Additionally, it’s important to remember that the insurance company makes its money not by paying out claims, but by not doing so. As Belal works on contingency, he and the rest of the team here only receive payment if we win. So, Belal has every incentive to work with and for you to maximize your compensation. The insurance company does not work on a similar model.
If you have insurance, it’s still worth it to contact an experienced attorney.
What Compensation Can I Receive for the Eaton Fire?
The compensation you can receive after the Eaton Fire is dependent upon what was damaged in the fire. For example, if your property was damaged in the fire, then you very well may be able to sue for those losses. That includes your home, yes, but also any equipment, supplies, and the like that were damaged.
The same goes for any damage to your business as well. If your place of business was damaged, you lost inventory, supply, and so forth, you could be compensated. You may even be compensated for losing out on potential business, due to evacuations, closed roads, etc.
The cost of evacuation is also something that you could recover. Having to leave your home, living somewhere else, temporary housing, relocating, if you’re a business having to hire additional staff, income lost due to not being able to work, and costs of that nature may be coming back to you in a fire damage claim.
Of course, if you or someone you love were in any way hurt due to the fires, you can recover compensation for your medical expenses. This can include but is in no way limited to medical bills, medications, rehab, transportation to and from medical facilities, and even future medical costs stemming from the accident.
The Eaton Fire has caused so many emotional distress and anguish. You can recover compensation for that as well. Non-economic damages such as your pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, PTSD, and more that you may have to deal with in the aftermath of the fire can be recovered.
As of right now, 17 have perished in the fires but that number could rise. If you lost someone that you love, you can file a wrongful death case. While nothing can ever provide adequate compensation for the loss of someone you love, you may be able to recover compensation for funeral costs, medical bills they accrued before their passing, and more.
If you suffered loss in any way due to the Eaton Fire, it’s possible that you could be eligible for compensation. When you meet with Belal Hamideh during a free case evaluation, he’ll let you know what your claim is worth and what he can do to help.
What Do I Do If Insurance Denies My Claim?
Your insurance company is supposed to be there for you when disaster strikes.
When they aren’t, something must be done. All too often, insurance companies deny claims that they shouldn’t, in hopes that you’ll stop your pursuit of compensation then and there. Don’t. That’s when you should contact Belal.
Remember: insurance companies are not limited to denial in terms of the ways they can keep you from the compensation you deserve. Perhaps they’ll offer you a “low ball” offer, something much less than what your claim is worth, in hopes that you’ll desperately take it and then they’ll be off the hook for everything they should pay you.
Or, maybe they’ll just fail to respond to you whatsoever, in hopes of delaying the process and ultimately getting you to give up. Maybe they’ll misinterpret (intentionally or not) your policy coverage, always with an eye towards paying you little to nothing.
If the insurance company denied your claim, you have nothing to lose by speaking to an experienced attorney.
Who’s Liable for the Eaton Fire?
Southern California Edison may be. Others could be liable as well. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. The truth may not be known for some time. Right now, many of those who have suffered loss due to the fire have brought lawsuits against Southern California Edison.
Preliminary investigations have shown that Southern California Edison may have failed to clear vegetation and de-energize transmission towers before the fires. They had clear warnings that the Santa Ana Winds and fire conditions were coming yet they failed to take action. This would clearly be negligence.
As such, many suits have been filed against them. It’s entirely possible by the time that you read this, other companies and entities have had suits brought against them as well.
If the loss you suffered was even partially due to someone’s negligence and/or recklessness, Belal can help you to recover maximum compensation.
How Long Should I Expect My Wildfire Case To Go?
Every single one of these cases are different. No two fires are alike, much less any two losses that individuals suffered in them. At all times, Belal and the rest of the staff here do everything possible to speed the process up, to help you to recover the compensation you deserve that much faster.
While there is no “average,” many of these cases take anywhere from months to years to resolve themselves. However, Belal Hamideh does not work hourly. You don’t have to pay by the hour. Our compensation, rather, comes out of the eventual settlement/winnings. So, Belal is prepared to do anything necessary for you to get justice, no matter what.
When Should I Contact a Wildfire Attorney?
You should contact an attorney once you’ve suffered an injury or property damage as a result of this fire. Evacuate if told to do so. Receive professional medical care if there’s even a small chance you suffered an injury. Once you’ve done that, then you should contact an attorney.
So much of this process is complicated. An attorney with experience can be your guide, helping you not just to get through this but to provide real, helpful compassion and support. The worst that can happen when you contact an attorney is that they say you may not have a case. However, many who initially thought that came to find that they had a strong case, that they were deserving of significant compensation.
Belal Hamideh: Wildfire Attorney for California
No one deserves to suffer loss in these fires. They have been devastating for so many throughout the region. If you lost property, your home, or even just had to spend money to deal with the aftermath of the Eaton Fire, Belal may be able to help. To schedule a free case evaluation, you can do so through this site or by calling.
Click Here to Read our Eaton Fire Guide
