You need to understand your legal rights. Fire officials have indicated that the cause of the Airport Fire is “accidental, unintentional, by heavy equipment working in the area of the RC Airport.” If the investigation concludes that this disaster could have been prevented had it not been for the negligence of a government entity, those who sustained losses may be able to pursue compensation for property loss, living expenses, and other damages.
The California wildfire lawyers at Wisner Baum have the experience and resources needed to take on any corporate defendant. With $4 billion in verdicts and settlements across all practice areas, your case is in good hands with us.
If you or someone in your family suffered losses in the Orange County Airport Fire, fill out our online form or call (310) 207-3233 to learn more about your legal rights.
The Airport Fire started on Monday, September 9, 2024, near Rose Canyon Road and Trabuco Canyon Road in Orange County. In the following days, it burned over 23,000 acres, including multiple structures in El Cariso Village and Deckert Canyon, west of Lake Elsinore.
Airport Fire evacuation orders were issued for the following areas:
Evacuation warnings were issued in parts of Orange County and Riverside County.
The latest Airport Fire evacuation orders and other valuable resources can be found on the CalFire incident report.
October 6, 2024: As of yesterday, the Airport Fire is 100% contained after burning over 23,000 acres in Southern California. We can now report that the Airport Fire destroyed 160 residential or commercial properties and damaged 34 residential or commercial properties. There were 22 total injuries reported among fire personnel and civilians.
If you were affected by this fire, you should speak with a lawyer about your claim to help ensure that you receive full and fair compensation for your losses. At Wisner Baum, we offer free case evaluations for those who lost their homes or businesses or suffered property damage.
September 23, 2024: Orange County received its first claims for losses from the Airport Fire. The blaze, reportedly sparked by an Orange County Public Works crew using heavy equipment, has destroyed at least 160 structures and damaged 34 others.
A Laguna Hills man filed a claim with the county worth $2.3 million for property loss in El Cariso Village near Lake Elsinore. A separate claim seeks $1,043 for hotel expenses during mandatory evacuations.
Anyone who was affected by the Airport Fire should be advised that the Orange County claim form includes the following:
“Claims related to personal injury or damage to personal property must be presented within six (6) months from the date of loss. Claims related to any other loss must be presented not later than one (1) year from the date of loss.”
If you have questions about pursuing an Airport Fire claim, please contact the wildfire attorneys at Wisner Baum today.
September 19, 2024: The Airport Fire in Riverside County and Orange County has consumed 23,519 acres and is 39% contained as of today. The blaze, which authorities say was caused by equipment, has destroyed 160 structures and damaged 34 others while causing 15 injuries among civilians and fire personnel. Firefighters report positive progress, with few hotspots remaining and crews actively engaged along most of the fire's perimeter. Aided by mild temperatures and possible drizzle from a passing low-pressure system, firefighters continue establishing firebreaks and initiating rehabilitation efforts. Some crews are being airlifted by helicopter to tackle the most challenging terrain as they work towards full containment.
Officials have stated that the fire was started accidentally by heavy equipment working near the RC Airport. Specifically, an Orange County Public Works crew were using equipment to move boulders and block access to dry land. A spark from this equipment reportedly started the blaze.
If you lost property due to the Airport Fire, you may have the right to seek compensation for damages because a government agency appears to be responsible for starting the blaze. However, there are special rules and time limits (statute of limitations) for suing government entities. We recommend consulting with an experienced wildfire lawyer as soon as you are able to ensure your legal claim remains viable.
If your case is successful, may be able to claim compensation for:
This is not an exhaustive list of available damages; all situations differ. If you would like more information on what compensation may be available, contact us for a free case evaluation.
Many people find their homeowner’s insurance doesn't fully cover wildfire losses, especially if their home or business is destroyed. A lawsuit against the responsible party (or parties) can help you recover additional compensation beyond what your insurance provides. Rest assured that your legal claim will not affect or subtract from compensation under your homeowner’s insurance policy.
No, you are not legally required to have an attorney represent you. However, having a lawyer is highly recommended for wildfire claims because the cases are often complex, especially when suing a government agency or a utility company. An experienced wildfire lawyer can help you navigate the legal process, gather evidence, build a strong case, and fight for full and fair compensation.
If you suffered losses in the Airport Fire and would like to learn more about your legal rights, please get in touch with Wisner Baum today. We offer free and confidential case evaluations, and we represent clients on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe us nothing if we are not successful in getting you compensated for your losses.
We have handled hundreds of wildfire claims for California residents, including those affected by the Camp, Woolsey, Thomas, and Bobcat Fires. We have successfully handled corporate wrongdoing claims for homeowners, renters, high-net-worth individuals, and others.
You don’t have to face the aftermath of this wildfire alone. Call us at (310) 207-3233 or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation with an Airport Fire lawyer today.
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In May of 2019, the jury in the case of Pilliod et al. v, Monsanto Company ordered the agrochemical giant to pay $2.055 billion in damages to the plaintiffs, Alva and Alberta Pilliod, a Bay Area couple in their 70s. R. Brent Wisner served as co-lead trial attorney for the Pilliods, delivering the opening and closing statements and cross-examining several of Monsanto’s experts. Wisner Baum managing shareholder, Michael Baum and attorney Pedram Esfandiary also served on the trial team in the Pilliod case.
The judge later reduced their award to $87M. Monsanto appealed the Pilliod’s verdict which the California Court of Appeal for the First Appellate District denied on August 9, 2021. Monsanto then requested the California Supreme Court review the appeal’s court decision, which the court denied on Nov. 17, 2021. Monsanto (Bayer) then submitted a petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court which SCOTUS denied on June 27, 2022, allowing the final judgment of $87M to remain intact.
$289.2 million jury verdict in Monsanto Roundup trial
Wisner Baum co-represented Dewayne “Lee” Johnson in the first Roundup cancer lawsuit to proceed to trial. On Aug. 10, 2018, a San Francisco jury ordered Monsanto to pay $39.25 million in compensatory damages and $250 million in punitive damages to Mr. Johnson, a former groundskeeper who alleged exposure to Monsanto’s herbicides caused him to develop terminal non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Months after the jury verdict, the judge overseeing the trial reduced the punitive damages to $39.25 million. Mr. Johnson decided to accept the remittitur, bringing the adjusted amount awarded to Mr. Johnson $78.5 million.
Monsanto (Bayer) appealed the verdict and Johnson cross appealed. On July 20, 2020, the First Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the verdict against Monsanto but reduced Mr. Johnson’s award to $20.5 million. The company chose not to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, ending the litigation.
In 2016, Wisner Baum attorney Timothy A. Loranger and six other attorneys in the Plaintiffs’ Management Committee were able to secure a $265 million settlement for victims of the 2015 Amtrak 188 derailment in Philadelphia, one of the largest in the U.S. for 2016.
