The Franklin Fire in California was a destructive wildfire that was active for nine days in Los Angeles County and caused extensive property damage and personal losses. While insurance may cover some of the damages, it often falls short of fully compensating victims for the full extent of their losses.
The experienced Franklin Fire lawyers at Bernheim Law Firm will fight to recover the full compensation you need, beyond insurance coverage, by investigating whether the fire resulted from negligence, such as faulty equipment or poor land management. If so, legal action can be taken against responsible parties, like utility companies or other entities. We can also seek the compensation you deserve for all of your losses.
For a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a knowledgeable Franklin Fire attorney, please call us at (310) 975-4728 or contact us online today.
Why Choose Us for Your Legal Needs?
California wildfires, like the Franklin Fire, can cause significant damage for individuals and businesses. In many cases, traditional wildfire insurance coverage is insufficient to fully compensate victims for their losses. At Bernheim Law Firm, we are not afraid to take on responsible corporations or utility companies, like PG&E, directly so that you can maximize the compensation you are entitled to receive.
You can see our most recent case results and client testimonials on this site. Our office is conveniently located at 752 Millard Canyon Road, Altadena, CA 91001.
Overview of the Franklin Fire
The Franklin Fire in California, which began on December 9, 2024, destroyed numerous homes and properties before it was contained. The fire started in the Franklin Canyon area, located in the Santa Monica Mountains, not far from residential neighborhoods in Beverly Hills and Pacific Palisades. The fire then quickly spread due to a combination of dry conditions, high winds, and dense vegetation, making it difficult for firefighting crews to gain control.
The fire burned over 5,000 acres of land before California’s firefighting teams finally contained it. Crews from Cal Fire, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), and various local fire agencies worked tirelessly to battle the blaze, but the rugged, steep terrain in the canyon area made it especially challenging. The fire also spread rapidly into nearby wooded areas, endangering the local wildlife and properties in its path.
The Franklin Fire prompted widespread evacuations in nearby neighborhoods, particularly in Beverly Hills and Pacific Palisades, where residents were forced to leave their homes due to the fire’s proximity. The fire also threatened critical infrastructure, including power lines and gas pipelines, which added additional complexity to the firefighting efforts. Thousands of residents were displaced, and some did not have homes to return to.
In addition to the physical destruction, the smoke from the fire significantly affected air quality across much of Los Angeles County. Health advisories were issued, urging residents to stay indoors, especially those with respiratory conditions, the elderly, and children.
If your residential or business property has sustained damage due to the Franklin Fire, the legal team at Bernheim Law Firm is ready to help. We will promptly investigate your circumstances and determine your eligibility for compensation.
How Much is my Franklin Fire Case Worth?
If you’ve been affected by the Franklin Wildfire in California, you may wonder how much your case is worth and what compensation you may be eligible to recover. The overall value of your case depends on several factors, including the extent of the damage you’ve experienced, who is at fault, and California law. In cases of wildfires, the compensation you may be able to recover can cover both personal and property damages, as well as other losses. Here’s an overview of the potential compensation you may be entitled to receive and how the value of your claim may be determined.
Property Damage
The most common form of damage involves the destruction or damage to property. This includes homes, vehicles, and personal belongings, as well as business structures and inventory. If your property was completely or partially destroyed, you may be entitled to compensation for repairs or the replacement cost of lost items.
Business Losses
For businesses affected by the Franklin Fire, compensation may be available for lost revenue due to damage or temporary closures. This can include income lost from disruptions in operations, as well as the costs of reopening after the fire. If the fire forced you to evacuate or caused damage to your physical location, you can claim compensation for business interruption.
Medical Expenses
Wildfires like the Franklin Fire can lead to health issues from smoke inhalation, burns, or other injuries. If you or your employees sustained injuries during the fire, medical expenses such as hospital visits, treatments, and rehabilitation may be covered. Long-term health effects may also qualify for compensation.
Emotional Distress and Trauma
The emotional and psychological toll of experiencing a wildfire is significant. Survivors may be eligible to recover damages for emotional distress, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health issues resulting from the traumatic event.
Evacuation and Relocation Costs
If you had to evacuate, the costs of temporary housing, transportation, and relocation may be compensable, especially if the evacuation was due to negligence by a responsible party, like a utility company.
The value of your wildfire case depends on the severity of your damages and the specific circumstances surrounding the fire. Factors such as the extent of your property damage, your medical expenses, and how much your emotional well-being was affected all play a role in determining the compensation you may be entitled to receive in a claim or lawsuit.
At Bernheim Law Firm, we can determine how much your Franklin Fire case is worth and help you understand the compensation you may be eligible to receive for your losses.
How Are Corporations and Other Entities Typically Responsible for California Wildfires?
Corporations in California have frequently been held responsible for starting wildfires, particularly due to their operations involving power lines, equipment maintenance, and land management. The state’s dry climate, combined with increasing heat from climate change, makes it an ideal environment for wildfires. However, it is often human actions – especially corporate negligence – that are found to be at the root of many of these devastating fires. Over the past few decades, several major wildfires in California have been traced back to corporate entities, especially utility companies, that failed to properly maintain their infrastructure or manage risk.
One of the most prominent examples of corporate responsibility for wildfires involves California’s utility companies, particularly Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E). PG&E has been linked to numerous major wildfires, including the Camp Fire in 2018, which destroyed the town of Paradise and became one of the deadliest and most destructive fires in state history. In that instance, investigations revealed that PG&E’s power lines were responsible for starting the fire. The company had failed to properly inspect and maintain its aging equipment despite warnings about its potential to spark fires during dry conditions. PG&E’s negligence in maintaining power lines, along with their failure to de-energize lines during extreme fire weather, led to widespread destruction and loss of life.
In addition to PG&E, other utility companies, such as Southern California Edison (SCE), have faced lawsuits and public scrutiny for their role in sparking wildfires. SCE was blamed for several fires, including the Woolsey Fire, which burned thousands of acres in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Similarly, SCE has been accused of not maintaining its equipment or following safety protocols that may have prevented fires. As California’s utility companies, including Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, serve millions of people across vast areas of the state, their infrastructure plays a significant role in wildfire risks.
Corporations in the timber industry also have a role in fire prevention and response. Logging operations can sometimes contribute to wildfires, especially if trees and brush are not properly cleared or if logging equipment generates sparks. Improper logging practices can also increase the potential for fires to spread uncontrollably. Cal Fire, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, often works to lessen these risks by setting guidelines for land management, but violations of these rules can lead to fires that devastate nearby communities and properties.
Moreover, corporations involved in land development can also play a role in fire ignition. Real estate developers may clear large areas of land for construction projects, increasing the likelihood of fires. Without proper firebreaks, buffer zones, or responsible vegetation management, these cleared areas can easily ignite during dry conditions.
Taking Action Against Negligent Entities in a Franklin Fire Case
If you’ve been affected by the Franklin Fire in California, recovering from your damages and losses can be overwhelming. Beyond wildfire insurance coverage, there are other ways to seek compensation for the losses you’ve endured, and we at Bernheim Law Firm are here to guide you through that process.
First, it’s important to understand that insurance companies are sometimes not as generous as they should be in covering all of the costs related to a wildfire. They may offer settlements that don’t fully reflect the true value of your losses. This is where we come in: our team can work with you to identify any areas where the insurance company may fall short. We will ensure that all aspects of your property damage, personal injury, and other losses are accounted for.
In addition to insurance claims, legal action may be an option if the Franklin Fire resulted from negligence by utility companies or other entities. If the fire was triggered by faulty equipment, poor maintenance of infrastructure, or any other form of corporate negligence, you may be entitled to sue the responsible party directly. Our team will investigate the cause of the fire, gather the necessary evidence, and hold the responsible entities accountable. This can include utility companies, local government agencies, or private companies whose actions may have contributed to the fire.
Moreover, we understand that your losses go beyond physical property or business interruptions. Emotional distress, health issues due to smoke inhalation, and the long-term effects of losing your home or business should also be considered in your compensation claim. We can seek damages for emotional suffering and similar losses, ensuring that your full experience is taken into account when pursuing compensation.
At Bernheim Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping you recover the compensation you deserve for all of your losses resulting from the Franklin Fire, whether through negotiating a settlement or pursuing legal action. We will be your advocates every step of the way.
Important Steps to Take After Incurring Damage in the Franklin Fire
If you’ve suffered individual or business property damage from the Franklin Fire in California, taking the right steps is important to ensuring you recover the full compensation and support you deserve.
As soon as you’re able to, you should begin documenting the damages resulting from the wildfire. Take photos or videos of your property, including your home, vehicles, and any personal belongings that were damaged or destroyed. This documentation will be crucial for both claims and any potential legal action. Make a list of everything you’ve lost and estimate the value of each item.
You should also contact experienced legal counsel as soon as possible about your available options. At Bernheim Law Firm, we can determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit and hold the responsible parties accountable. We will also ensure that you pursue all available avenues of compensation beyond just insurance claims.
By following these steps, you can begin to recover and rebuild your life after the Franklin Fire while ensuring that you are fully compensated for your losses.
Speak to a Knowledgeable Franklin Fire Attorney Today
At Bernheim Law Firm, we will do everything possible to maximize the compensation you receive for your Franklin Fire losses. We are willing and able to go well beyond available insurance coverage to pursue the full compensation you deserve for all of your wildfire-related losses.
For a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a skilled California wildfire lawyer, please call us at (310) 975-4728 or contact us online right away.