Los Angeles Fires Relief Resources for Wildfire Survivors
Recover and rebuild with assistance from government aid, insurance claims, and legal representation
Based on our extensive experience representing survivors of California wildfires and explosions, we’ve compiled a list of Los Angeles fires resources that we hope will provide critical information for wildfire survivors impacted by these Los Angeles fires.
Our hearts go out to the wildfire survivors of the Los Angeles Fires and the families of those who lost loved ones. We will update this page as new information and resources come out. We hope you find this information on immediate needs and guidance on navigating the insurance process beneficial.
On January 23, 2025, Corey Gibbs Fire Lawyers filed a California wildfire lawsuit against Southern California Edison on behalf of Eaton Fire survivors who lost homes as renters or homeowners. If you were affected by the Eaton Fire and have questions about your legal rights, find out how we may be able to help.
The LA County Recorder’s Office is offering free replacement of lost property records, birth certificates, marriage licenses, and death certificates to support those recovering from the fires.
The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles has compiled a resources list on issues such as tenants’ rights, unemployment and student loan relief, and FEMA assistance.
The Eaton Fire Collaborative is made up of over 80 community groups who provide streamlined and updated recovery information.
Legal Support and Mental Health Resources for Fire Survivors
Wildfire recovery can come with overwhelming challenges. Many people find it difficult to balance urgent needs with their own well-being. Below are some support groups and mental health resources that may help.
Extreme Weather Survivors connects communities affected by disasters and offer trauma-informed programs.
Eaton Health Village is an in-person clinic providing free services that include medical consultations, medication refills, and mental health services and case management.
Teladoc Health offers free telehealth appointments to those who have been impacted by natural disasters. Call their hotline at 855-225-5032.
Your Questions Answered In-Person by a Fire Attorney
Visit our local office at:
Century Square 155 North Lake Ave 8th Floor Pasadena, CA 91101
Navigating the Insurance Process After Los Angeles Wildfires
You may be losing a significant amount of money if you’re relying on insurance alone. Insurance does not cover the full extent of physical, emotional, and financial challenges resulting from the Eaton Fire. Contact our fire lawyers today to learn more about how a lawsuit can help you seek full compensation for your losses.
Below you will find tips for navigating the following different insurance processes:
General Insurance
Additional Living Expense Coverage
Homeowners Coverage
Business Insurance
Those affected by these fires should contact their insurance companies, including their homeowners’, renters’, business and automobile insurers, and open a claim as soon as possible.
Your insurance company is legally required to act in your best interests and must fairly investigate your claim and fairly value any damaged property. If you are receiving an illogical or unfair answer from a claims representative, appeal up the chain.
General Insurance Tips
Call your insurance company directly and open a claim. The insurance companies usually assign claims to claims reps on a first come first serve basis, so it is important to contact them as soon as you can.
Ask for a complete copy of your insurance policy, including all declarations pages and endorsements. Sometimes additional coverage is listed in different portions of your policy, so it is important to review the entire policy.
Ask your insurance claims representative to tell you the limits of your coverage, including the monetary cap and the time limit. With the Governor declaring a State of Emergency, those caps may be extended.
Confirm your communications with your insurer in writing (email or letter) so that you have a record. Your insurer must respond within 15 days to your communication when it can reasonably be interpreted as expecting a reply.
Make a claim under any and all insurance policies that you have. These may include homeowners’, renters’, business, and automobile insurance policies. This may include other properties or other businesses you own. Minors living apart from their parents may still be covered by their parents’ insurance policies.
Include your local insurance representative in the claims process if possible. They will have a better understanding of your needs than an unknown insurance representative and may help advocate for you.
Try to avoid using a public adjuster unless you are having issues with your insurance company. Public adjusters take a large fee not only on the coverage they secure but on the entire insurance payment. Disasters tend to bring out predatory public adjusters and vendors so if you do retain one, vet them carefully.
Additional Living Expenses Coverage
In the immediate days after evacuation, you will face displacement expenses. Your insurance should cover much of these expenses.
Seek emergency needs payments for immediate needs like food, clothing, and shelter. This coverage is typically limited by a dollar amount or time period, however, with a State of Emergency declared, these limits may be extended.
Consider opening a credit card or account used exclusively for these expenses so they are easily tracked and submitted.
Coverage is extended to 24 months minimum in a disaster.
Additional Living Expenses may also include:
Increased mileage from temporary housing and moving costs from temporary housing into rebuilt homes
New insurance policies for temporary rental housing or belongings
Credit check fees charged by rental management companies
Photocopies and mailing expenses related to insurance claims
Cell phone/data overtime charges and new accounts and set-up fees for computers and utilities
Co-pays for replacement medications
Homeowners’ Coverage:
If you rebuild your home, you may be eligible for additional coverage that may be as much as 150% of your policy limit.
You have the right to replace a destroyed home elsewhere rather than rebuilding in the same location.
Your home’s foundation is likely not covered by your homeowners’ policy.
Most homeowners’ policies include coverage for not only your home and its contents, but also for landscaping, fences, sewer systems, and other structures such as detached garages and sheds. These coverages may be separate for your Dwelling coverage. Your policy may also cover smoke and water damage.
If your insurer prepares a rebuild estimate, request the name and contact information of at least one local contractor who will perform the rebuild work at the rate estimated.
Your insurer may ask you to provide an “inventory,” or a list of personal belongings destroyed by the fire. This is a very important list, so take your time and make sure to include everything. Also, be prepared for the fact that this task will be emotionally taxing. Tips for compiling the best inventory include:
Go room by room. Visualize the property that was in each room and check with family and friends about their recollections. Think about what was in the drawers and closets in each room.
Check your email folders and online purchases like Amazon, which may show items you owned, as well as the purchase price and date.
Ask family and friends for photos of events at your home that may show the items in your house.
Do not omit any items, even if you exceed your policy limit. Your insurer may depreciate items, lowering their value.
Business Insurance may also cover:
Damaged or destroyed land, trees, and vegetation
Damaged or destroyed property and outbuildings
Injured or deceased livestock
Revenue losses from lost business or an inability to conduct business
Amanda has been appointed by a judge to a nine member oversight committee for a trust that manages the distribution of $13.5 billion to wildfire survivors.
Steve litigates a wide range of complex cases, from environmental mass torts to consumer class actions. He has secured over $1 billion for his clients.
Sumble Manzoor
Sumble has spent much of her career representing survivors of utility caused disasters. In addition to representing the 2015 Butte Fire, the 2017 North Bay Fires and the 2018 Camp Fire survivors, Sumble also represents plaintiffs harmed by utility caused explosions. She prides herself on working to ensure that utilities are held accountable for their failures.
Susan Spiker
Susan represents survivors of utility-caused wildfires, overseeing our team of attorneys and staff who work with our clients to build their claims against SCE.
Emma represents plaintiffs harmed by corporate wrongdoing and survivors of sexual assault.
Daniel Martinez
Daniel has represented hundreds of wildfire survivors affected by the 2017 North Bay Fires and 2018 Camp Fire. He has helped homeowners, renters, and business owners, and has helped them secure millions from utilities companies.
Aileen Nguyen
Aileen has represented hundreds of wildfire survivors affected by the 2017 North Bay Fires and the 2018 Camp Fire, helping homeowners, renters, and businesses pursue their claims.
Alex Smock is a litigation associate with Corey, Luzaich, de Ghetaldi, & Riddle LLP. Ms. Smock is an avid advocate for wildfire survivors and is on the San Mateo County Barristers' Board of Directors. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Smock worked primarily in mass tort civil litigation. Her developing practice includes wildfire litigation and explosion cases.
Emily Cardona
Emily Cardona is a Legal Assistant with extensive experience working with the fire survivors of the 2015 Butte Fire, 2017 North Bay Fire, 2018 Camp Fire. She graduated in the top of her class with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Education from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Jason Gibbs
Jason guides clients and potential clients through all stages of the litigation process, from intake to settlement.
Lexi supports the social media addiction lawsuit team and assists Corey Gibbs attorneys with the Eaton Fire lawsuit.
Maneek Sidhu
Maneek collaborates closely with case teams to provide comprehensive administrative support, including client document organizing and processing.
Experience Matters
To date, we’ve represented over 6,300 survivors of utility-caused fires and explosions in California, and on behalf of these clients, we have secured over $1.5 billion in compensation.
Our legal team has extensive experience representing fire survivors in lawsuits against utilities for recklessly causing destruction. We have filed a lawsuit on behalf of Eaton Fire survivors against Southern California Edison.
Corey Gibbs Fire Lawyers’ Amanda Riddle was one of three attorneys appointed as liaison counsel on behalf of individual plaintiffs in the Eaton Fire litigation, which seeks to hold SCE accountable for causing the fire. The judge appointed the liaison counsel following the March 17th case management conference. As liaison counsel, Amanda will serve as one of the primary spokespersons for fire survivors and coordinates between all parties involved in the case.
Lead counsel Amanda Riddle was an integral member of the team that negotiated the $13.5 billion settlement with PG&E during the company’s bankruptcy following the 2017 North Bay Fires and the 2018 Camp Fire, which collectively killed over 100 people and destroyed over 30,000 structures in Northern California.
