EP288 Legal Implications of the California Wildfires with Martin Kaufman

In Episode 288 of the Lawyers and Mediators International Show, we took the LMIPodcast on the road to California. I sat down with Attorney Martin Kaufman of The Kaufman Law Firm at his LA office to explore the legal implications of the recent California wildfires. Attorney Kaufman, a seasoned California trial lawyer with experience in wildfire litigation, recounted his involvement with past cases, notably against Southern California Edison. He discussed the devastating impact of the recent Eaton Fire in neighboring Altadena, CA, likening it to historical disasters due to the sheer scale of destruction. He gave helpful information to help victims of the fires and emphasized the importance of applying for FEMA assistance and navigating insurance claims. With many Californians facing underinsurance or no coverage, he stressed the urgency of this issue.

Our conversation also touched on the critical role of government and utilities in preventing such catastrophes, advocating for infrastructure improvements like burying power lines. Legal strategies, including negligence claims against Southern California Edison and prospective inverse condemnation lawsuits, were outlined, including his law firm’s intentions to sue negligent parties on behalf of local wildfire victims. A main point from this conversation was that fire victims need to seek experienced legal counsel when dealing with the legal fallout from this high-stakes disasters. Some helpful links for those still recovering are below:

https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4856