The Bridge Fire began as a brush fire at around 2:30 p.m. on September 8, 2024, near Glendora, California. The wildfire quickly spread to roughly 50,000 acres in the following days and caused significant damage. Officials say dozens of homes and structures have been destroyed in the Mount Baldy, Wrightwood and surrounding areas, with thousands of other structures threatened. No significant injuries or deaths have been reported.
As victims grapple with the aftermath of one of the largest wildfires in the state this year, the California wildfire attorneys at Wisner Baum are following the investigation closely. If negligence by a company, utility, or a government agency caused or contributed to this fire, victims may be able to pursue a legal claim. Retaining an experienced wildfire attorney can make all the difference in securing full and fair compensation for your losses.
If you or someone in your family suffered losses in the Bridge Fire, fill out our contact form or give us a call at (310) 207-3233 to learn more about your legal rights.
November 1, 2024: The Bridge Fire, which has burned over 56,000 acres in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, is now at 99% containment. According to CalFire, the Bridge Fire destroyed 81 structures, damaged 17 others, and injured 17 people.
For those affected by this devastating incident, our wildfire attorneys are offering free and confidential case evaluations to help ensure that victims are fully and fairly compensated for any losses. Contact us today to speak with a lawyer about your case.
September 23, 2024: The Bridge Fire, California's largest active wildfire, has seen significant containment progress, with most evacuation orders now lifted in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. The fire, which began on September 8 in the San Gabriel Canyon area, has burned 54,877 acres and is now 71% contained. Cal Fire reports that 81 structures have been destroyed and 17 damaged, with five injuries reported. The only remaining mandatory evacuation order is for the sparsely populated Mile High area. While some evacuation warnings persist, firefighters continue to make progress battling the blaze, which has primarily affected the Angeles National Forest and nearby communities.
We still do not know what caused the Bridge Fire. If negligence was a factor in causing or contributing to the wildfire, those who suffered losses may have legal standing to pursue civil lawsuits to recover compensation. Claims for damages may include money to rebuild or repair homes and other property, reimbursement for lost business income, medical expenses, and more.
September 19, 2024: The Bridge Fire continues to rage in Los Angeles County, consuming over 54,000 at 41% containment. Firefighters are making progress on the northwest and southeast flanks, utilizing both ground and air resources. Favorable weather conditions have allowed direct attacks along the fire's edge, helping to protect the Mile High and Paradise Springs communities. The blaze has destroyed 81 structures and left 19 others damaged, including residential, commercial, and other properties. Four injuries have been reported among fire personnel and civilians. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Bridge Fire prompted evacuation orders in the following areas (as of September 11, 2024):
Evacuation warnings were issued for the following areas (as of September 11, 2024):
The best way to stay informed about Bridge Fire evacuation updates is via CalFire’s incident report.
Local officials have designed the following places as disaster relief shelters:
Victims of wildfires may be eligible for various forms of compensation, depending on the specific circumstances of their case. It's important to note that the availability and amount of compensation can vary greatly depending on the specific circumstances of each case, the extent of the damages, and the parties held responsible for the fire. An experienced wildfire attorney can help you identify all potential sources of compensation and work to maximize your recovery.
Here's an overview of the types of compensation that may be available:
If you suffered losses in the Bridge Fire and would like more information on your legal rights, please get in touch with us. The California Wildfire lawyers at Wisner Baum offer free and confidential case evaluations, and we represent fire clients on a contingency fee basis, which means if we are not successful in obtaining compensation on your behalf, you don’t owe us a dime.
Wisner Baum has handled hundreds of wildfire claims for victims throughout California. Most recently, the firm secured justice and compensation for survivors of the Northbay Fires and Camp Fire in Paradise and the Woolsey Fire in Los Angeles. Our California wildfire litigation team has successfully handled corporate wrongdoing claims for homeowners, renters, high-net-worth individuals, and companies. We know what it takes to navigate the complexities of insurance claims and, if needed, take those responsible to court.
Don't face the aftermath of the Bridge Fire alone. Our dedicated team of Bridge Fire attorneys are ready to fight for your rights and help you rebuild your life.
Call us at (310) 207-3233 or fill out our online form to schedule your free consultation with a Bridge Fire lawyer today.
"Wisner Baum gave exceptional attention to all aspects of the case, detailed inquiry, and tenacious overview of all the information submitted. The paralegals are efficient and diligent. I was completely surprised to find an empathic personal message to take care of my own health during the challenging time of being a full-time caretaker.*"
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.
