Los Angeles and its residents are fighting a tough battle as several wildfires have erupted across the county. While firefighters are carrying out their duty, government officials have asked citizens in certain areas to evacuate for their own safety. Life may never return to normal in the Golden State after this disaster.
At Ehline Law, our hearts go out to all victims of the recent LA wildfires. If you’re in the Acton area, we’ve created this guide to help you navigate your options in the wake of the Lidia Fire.
Clients can even contact us to discuss their case with a personal injury expert and learn more about your legal rights!
What We Know About the Lidia Fire
Considered the second smallest of the many wildfires in Los Angeles, the Lidia Fire raged through the mountainous Acton area north of LA in the Antelope Valley, burning down 395 acres of land.
The Lidia Fire was first reported on January 8, 2025. It scorched the surrounding areas for three days before firefighters could contain it. Unlike the Eaton Fire, the Hurst Fire, and the Palisades Fire, the Lidia Fire stopped spreading after reaching a certain point.
Residents must understand that while the fire agencies have contained this destructive wildfire, it has not come to a complete stop. Weather experts are concerned about potentially strong winds that could add fuel to the embers, causing the Lidia Fire to erupt once again.
The Impact of the Lidia Fire in Acton, Los Angeles County
While no serious injuries or property damage have been reported as of yet, the impact of the Lidia Fire in the affected area could be catastrophic. Although government officials issued evacuation orders for specific locations, most stayed home during the high winds.
As the Lidia Fire swept through hundreds of acres in Acton, thick black smoke polluted the air. Breathing in such conditions can lead to inhalation injuries, causing internal damage to the residents.
Citizens need to seek a complete medical evaluation as soon as possible to determine the extent of injuries caused by the Lidia Fire. This would allow them to document the damages, enabling them to pursue a claim to obtain compensation as plaintiffs.
The Lidia Fire and Homeowners’ Insurance Claims
Whether it’s the Sunset Fire or the Lidia Fire, affected parties have two options that they can consider. If you have homeowners’ insurance, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurance company. Whitney must cover the damages if you have the right coverage; most insurers often deny claims or reduce payouts.
A financial expert estimated $250 billion in damages caused by the wildfires across Los Angeles County. This is a tremendous amount for insurance companies to cover, and they may try everything they can to reduce or deny claims.
If you find recovering compensation from your insurer challenging, it may be acting in bad faith. Unreasonably denying a claim creates grounds for filing a complaint with your state’s Department of Insurance.
With an experienced personal injury attorney on your side, you could scare the insurer from trying anything sneaky, increasing your chances of obtaining maximum monetary damages.
The Lidia Fire and Personal Injury Lawsuits
While homeowners’ insurance covers certain damages, it does not pay for emotional distress, trauma, pain, and suffering, among other things. Fortunately, victims affected by the Lidia Fire may also have another legal option to consider becoming “whole” again.
Wildfire Victims May Be Able to Bring Civil Action to Obtain Damages
Whether it’s the Woodley Fire or the Lidia Fire, injured victims may be able to pursue personal injury litigation against the negligent party that’s responsible for causing these wildfires.
Typically, wildfires are natural occurrences, but in the United States, they occur due to negligence on the part of power companies or individuals.
For example, the devastating Camp Fire in 2018 destroyed over 19,000 homes and killed around 85 people. An investigation revealed that Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) failed to maintain its power lines, resulting in the fire.
Fast-forward to 2025, and we already have footage of sparks under transmission lines operated by Southern California Edison (SCE) and other utility companies. Injured victims have filed lawsuits in Los Angeles Superior Court based on the visual evidence against SCE, holding it accountable for the Eaton Fire. Strong winds may have caused embers to enter the mountainous area of Acton, igniting the fire.
Establishing Liability and Proving Negligence Is Crucial to Pursuing a Lawsuit
Currently, government agencies are investigating the wildfires across Southern California. While this may sound reassuring, we’ve seen how large companies and their legal teams manipulate investigative reports to escape liability.
Fortunately, with the help of experienced personal injury attorneys, injured victims investigated the Lidia Fire to determine if a negligent power company was behind the raging wildfire.
If negligence is found, a skilled lawyer can help affected individuals navigate the complex litigation process and hold the responsible parties accountable for the damages caused.
The Types of Damages Affected Parties Can Recover Following the Lidia Fire
Injured victims may be able to recover several types of economic and non-economic losses when filing a negligence claim or lawsuit. The damages available to an individual vary from one case to another.
Typically, affected parties may be able to recover the following losses in the aftermath of a wildfire:
- Medical bills and hospital fees for treating injuries
- Lost wages for skipping work during evacuations
- Repair or replacement costs of the damaged property
- Costs of evacuation and temporary accommodation
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering.
An Impartial Investigation Could Reveal Other Liable Parties Too!
Property owners affected by the Lidia Fire should have multiple parties could be parties responsible for the damages caused.
For example, when firefighters were trying to put out the Palisades Fire, the municipal water systems failed, further exacerbating the intensity of the wildfire. This is an instance of negligence on behalf of the relevant government department, as it failed to ensure proper working of fire hydrants in a fire-prone area.
Injured citizens can sue the responsible utility company and the relevant government agency in such situations. Unfortunately, many victims fail to identify the liable parties, which can adversely impact the compensation they receive. This makes it incredibly important to work with skilled Lidia Fire lawsuit attorneys.
Lawyer Tips for Suing: What You Need to Know About Complex Litigation!
Here are a few tips that you should follow when hiring an attorney for legal representation:
- A wildfire lawsuit isn’t like a civil rights case. Some attorneys have flat fees, which could lead to fee disputes if a proper agreement isn’t in place. Other lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which lets them take a certain percentage of the settlement if they win a case. In such troubling times, discussing this type of arrangement with your attorney ensures financial stability for the victim.
- Wildfire victims may use a lawyer referral service to connect with an experienced attorney. However, they may have to pay a small fee.
- Many lawyers take on cases and hand them over to their junior staff members. Since wildfire lawsuits can be complex, it is essential to discuss this with the attorney before hiring them.
A Personal Injury Litigation Titan and Wildfire Vet Team Up to Help Lidia Fire Victims in LA County
I, Mike Ehline of Ehline Law, have been devastated by the destruction caused by the wildfires in Southern California. People I know have been deeply affected, and property owners have been left in shambles.
While some of the fires continue to burn uncontrollably, I’ve made it my obligation to work with the affected victims and protect their legal and financial rights.
Since wildfire lawsuits can be challenging, I’ve partnered up with Mr. Alan Beck, an old buddy from the US Marines who is also a premier wildfire attorney. He has won significant lawsuits and appeals and has litigated many more cases.
Mr. Beck is a dedicated attorney with more extensive experience handling wildfire suits than any other I know. He is an expert on the Woolsey and Thomas Fires and guides other lawyers on the best practices for wildfire victims.
By joining forces with Mr. Caine, we bring more than six decades of combined trial experience, giving you the legal firepower you need to fight your lawsuit successfully.
Affected by the Lidia Fire? Don’t Wait—Call Ehline Law Today
You may be eligible for compensation if you’ve suffered property damage or injuries in the Lidia Fion. Call us at (833) LETS-SUE to schedule a free consultation and discuss your case with experienced lawyers to learn more about your legal options!
