OUR EXPERIENCE WITH FIRE LITIGATION

Our attorneys have extensive experience in litigation against utilities and a proven track record of obtaining results for clients.  In the largest fire case in California history, the 2007 San Diego Wildfire Litigation, Alexander Schack was lead counsel against Sempra Energy, a discovery coordinator and member of the Plaintiffs’ Control Group Trial Team. The litigation, which involved multiple fires allegedly caused by the local electric utility, resulted in settlements of over $2 billion for fire victims. Our office alone settled over 300 individual cases and recovered more than $50,000,000 for our clients.

OUR EXPERIENCE WITH VEGETATION, CROP AND LANDSCAPING DAMAGES

Of the hundreds of clients we represented in the 2007 San Diego Wildfire Litigation, many were farmers or growers, including several avocado growers, and individuals with extensive acreage featuring mature and irreplaceable trees.  As a result of the fires, these individuals suffered significant damage to their crops and vegetation (even those that had not burned), as well as damage to their irrigation systems and erosion damage. Many of these losses were not fully covered by insurance. Our office, however, worked with numerous experts to address the unique damages that fires, smoke, and soot cause to landscaping and irrigation systems and to obtain the greatest recoveries for our clients.  In addition, we understand that for growers, the smoke and ash from fires alone can have devastating long-term effects on crops even when the crops have not burned. We also understand the impact these damages can have on businesses and the associated loss of income that can occur as a result. Given our work in the San Diego Wildfire Litigation, we have the experience necessary to help you pursue potential claims for your unique landscaping and agricultural losses, including damages to vineyards and associated lost income/business. 

POTENTIALLY RECOVERABLE AGRICULTURAL DAMAGES

  • Burnt crops (vineyards, fruit trees, olive, trees, walnut trees, almond trees, etc.)
  • Crops that suffered smoke and soot damage
  • Crop damage related to forced evacuations
  • Damage to irrigation systems
  • Erosion damage
  • Soil damage
  • Damage to agricultural equipment (GPS-guided mechanical planters and harvesters, electromagnetic sprayers, and bio-diesel powered pickups, etc.)
  • Lost income, revenue, and other business, including future losses