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Wildfires

Stutman Law has been a leader in the subrogation field for over 25 years. In 2007, Stutman Law expanded its practice to the area of subrogated wildfire claims. Historically, wildfires were predominantly centered in California and primarily litigated through the California regional office. However, more recently, wildfires have also occurred in the western, southwestern, and southern states, including Washington, Oregon, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Tennessee, and Florida.

Wildfires are caused for various reasons and can lead to hundreds of millions of dollars in insured property damage. Some wildfires are caused by nature, such as lightning strikes, or by careless, reckless, or even intentional actions of individuals. For such claims, there is no subrogation potential. However, there is a second group of wildfires caused by the negligence of utility companies and government agencies for which there is potential for a subrogation recovery.

Report A Wildfire Claim


Common Challenges in Wildfire in Subrogation Cases:

  • Potential for subrogation recovery usually limited to fires caused by utility line failures, often due to tree/line contact
  • Proving how a fire started requires complex and expensive investigations, often with multiple merged fires of different origins
  • Investigation is often hampered by fire containment efforts
  • State laws may limit potential causes of action for litigation, particularly inverse condemnation
  • Wildfire litigation is complex and costly, with a mix of Plaintiffs including subrogated insurers, individuals, government entities, and class actions
  • Plaintiffs must coordinate investigation and litigation efforts to represent diverse interests in an effective and cost-efficient manner

Explore Our Other Subrogation Areas

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Large Property Losses

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Small Property Losses

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Workers' Compensation

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The Subrogation-Only Difference

With an exclusive focus on subrogation, you can rest assured that we’re doing everything in our power to maximize your recovery. From large property losses to small property losses to mass torts and workers’ compensation claims, you can depend on us for honest and transparent service that puts your needs first. Contact us today to report a loss or to speak with an expert about your subrogation law needs.