An Idyllwild wildfire has caused over 12,000 residents to evacuate their homes. Residents in Hemet, Beaumont, Banning, Menifee, Valle Vista, Palm Springs, and Moreno Valley have been told to leave to protect themselves from the spreading flames, which were threatening over 600 homes in the area; the fire had spread to over 7 miles wide in a few hours.
Despite being fire season, this particular fire, along with four others, was suspected to be caused by arson and not high heat. A 32 year old suspect was arrested on five counts of arson. His car was spotted at the starting point of the fire.
In addition to those living in homes in the area, many horses and other animals were evacuated to safer locations, while children in summer camps and sleep away camps were taken elsewhere as well.
Fire stations have placed engines in strategic locations to prevent homes from being caught in the blaze and helicopters have dumped water and flame retardant material onto the fires from above, resulting in many of the homes and land being covered in pink substances. As the fire burns, there is an abundance of ash falling on homes and smoke filling the air.
This large amount of smoke and ash can cause damage to your home, even if the fire does not directly damage it. If the insurance company refuses to pay out a claim for smoke and ash damage, contact our law firm, Normandie Law Firm. We’ll provide you with a Cranston fire and ash claim lawyer to help you handle your case.
Smoke and Ash Problems
Fires can be amongst the most damaging disasters to affect your property; they could easily burn up your land, torch your home, and render the entire plot of land unlivable. Worse, a fast-moving wildfire can scorch a neighborhood, leading to widespread damage and the potential for numerous deaths.
However, not all fires reach neighborhoods, but the smoke and ash from the flames do. Smoke and ash from a fire can cause many problems with your home that may take weeks to clean up. The damage can be extensive; some of the parts of your home that can be affected include:
- Heating and Air Conditioning: The heating system in your home controls the thermostat, hot water heater, and more. It has the same ducts as those used in the air conditioning system, which pumps cool air into your house. Ash from fires can come to rest inside these ducts, clogging them and preventing the necessary air from getting to its end locations. This can cause a backup and dire consequences.
- Plumbing: Ash may get into some of the water ways in your home, such as your sink and toilet, but may also enter from other areas as well. This can make the plumbing system clog and not carry any waste.
- Garden: Many people have a fair amount of plants and fauna on their property that are at risk during a fire. Although they may not be burned, the cinder and ash can suffocate the plants, kill the grass, prevent fruits and vegetables from growing, and more.
- Pool: Water pumps in pools will keep the water clean and remove debris. Filters also help cleanse the water and keep it sanitary. Ash can fall in the pool and cause the pumps and filters to become clogged. Replacing these items can be pricey.
- Personal Items: Your property does not only consist of systems and land. You also have items that can be damaged by smoke and ash – entertainment systems and clothing, for example, but also contents of your home, such as beds, curtains, sheets, food, carpeting, fans, and more.
For more details, get in touch with a lawyer at Normandie Law Firm today.
How to File a Smoke and Ash Claim with Your Insurance Company
First and foremost, you should have ample photos of the damage to your home that was caused by smoke and ash. If you can show the different pipes that were clogged, systems that stopped working, and land that was ruined or harmed, you could file a claim with the insurance company. Although arson is generally not included in fire insurance policies, smoke and ash damage may be.
You should hold on to the documents showing that you hired professional services to clean the affected parts of your home. For example, if you required a plumber to come snake your toilet or fix the water system for your bathroom, you should hold on to the receipt and notes dictating that the problem was caused by ash.
When you file a claim with your insurance company, the adjuster will come to your home and evaluate it for damage. It is not uncommon for adjusters to purposely hide important details from homeowners or to mislead them about the extent of the damages. They may claim that the amount of harm caused by the smoke and ash is actually negligible, and you do not need to worry about a payout to fix the problems.
This deliberate attempt to hinder you from receiving a fair settlement that will cover your damages is an act of bad faith, and our attorneys will do all we can to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Compensation from a Claim
With the help of our skilled lawyers at Normandie Law Firm, you can earn various types of compensation for your claim with the insurance company. The different damages to your home can be reimbursed, whether that includes repair costs or recovery from professionals. The insurance company can also help you acquire a settlement if your items were damaged if you have renter’s insurance.
If the insurance company acted in bad faith and did not do all it could in its power to help you, or if it purposely lied to you, misinformed you, refused to investigate your claim, or did anything else that go against fair treatment, you could sue the insurance company for bad faith. We can assist you with this lawsuit as well.
Our Law Group
Normandie Law Firm in Los Angeles is one of the top-rated legal groups in the city. We have a talented team of top quality lawyers willing to do all that is necessary to protect our clients and see to it that you receive the compensation you deserve. We will help you through your smoke and ash claim and we will fight for your rights with the insurance company. Our attorneys are aggressive and if we do receive a satisfactory offer from the agents, we will take your case to court.
Call us today to set up a free legal consultation with a skilled lawyer. Our consultations are confidential, so none of your details will be available to anyone outside of our offices. Our lawyers are available around the clock and will gladly talk with you about your case, telling you what we believe we can win and answering all of your questions.
If you select us to represent you, we’ll also give you our zero fee guarantee, which promises that you will not have to spend any out of pocket expenses on your case. We’ll cover the costs, and if we win, the settlement will provide us with coverage for our legal fees. If we lose, we earn nothing from you, and you can walk away debt free to our law firm.
Contact Normandie Law Firm today to speak with a Cranston fire and ash claim lawyer.
