How Long is the Claim Process Expected to Take in Regards to the Camp Fire?

When you have been injured or lost somebody you love in an accident, time is of the essence. Suffering a variety of damages might put you in a desperate financial situation as you struggle with many other aspects of your case. Those who have suffered the devastating effects of the California Camp Fire patiently await the time that they are permitted to bring a claim against PG&E, who is likely going to receive charges for the traumatic wildfire after the investigation is complete. However, you might be worried that this will be a time-consuming process and, in the meantime, what will you do as you await results?

Is PG&E Facing Charges?  

This weekend, the California Attorney General’s Office spoke with a federal judge and told them that it is possible that PG&E will likely be facing criminal charges due to the Camp Fire that started due to their negligent inaction. This could happen if investigators find that the power equipment owned by PG&E caused the wildfire because it was recklessly operated and maintained. In theory, it is believed that PG&E will now be responsible for the hundreds of injuries that resulted from the fire, 86 deaths and loss of property that devastated entire cities.

Lawyers are now attempting to expedite the investigation so that they can get to the bottom of the case and determine if PG&E is actually liable for the wildfire, even though a process like this could actually take months and months on end. Meanwhile, many individuals try to pick up the pieces of what is lost, which means that they are personally on the hook to manage the property they have lost, pay for injuries out-of-pocket, and cover aspects like funeral expenses after their loved ones have lost their lives.

So, how long are cases like these expected to take and how can an attorney help?

The Length of the Claims Process

Many cases will not actually make it to court but will instead be processed through something known as ‘settlement.’ Many people have the fear that their case will take months to years to settle as they face reality, which is why many individuals might make the decision to accept the first and fastest settlement that is offered to them. However, any attorney will advise against this, as you are not being treated fairly and could be missing out on many opportunities for the compensation you deserve.

Some of the reasons why these cases take so long to settle is due to factual issues being present in a case (as is the case with the Camp Fire, where liability is still not fully clear), cases that involve large payouts with thousands of people affected, or those who have not reached maximum medical improvement and are still suffering from injuries. The devastation of the Camp Fire is still fresh, which is why it is important to take those first steps now and invest in the help of an experienced attorney who can assist you in your time of need.

We understand how difficult it can be to face the aftermath of this devastating wildfire that has impacted many people throughout California. Our experienced wildfire attorneys at the Brady Law Group understand you are facing many effects of the wildfire such as serious burn injuries or dealing with the unexpected wrongful death of a loved one. Let us help you every step of the way and contact us today at (866) 478-6483.