Olivas Fire claim eligibility

The Olivas Fire was a brush fire that started in the Santa Clara River Bottom near Olivas Park Drive. The first report came in at 8:18 am on January 8, 2025. From 1 to 2 acres in the initial report, it burned through 11 acres before it was contained. 

Although reported as a “small fire about 50 miles east of LA,” the Olivas Fire proved deadly after a burned body was discovered in the fire zone. The body was later identified by the Ventura Country Medical Examiner as 55-year-old Troy C. Rowland. According to the report, the man was described as unhoused or transient. He died of “thermal injuries” from the fire with no foul play.

Key impacted areas of Olivas Fire:

• Ventura County, in southern California, with a population of 844,363

• Santa Clara River bottom, near Olivas Park Drive and Harbor Boulevard

Evacuation orders were made for a homeless encampment near the river bottom.

What caused the Olivas Fire in California

Wildfires can be caused by many natural and human factors, including lightning strikes, broken power lines, collected biomass, dry vegetation, and human activity. The Ventura County Fire Department previously reported that the fire had been traced to a homeless encampment near the river bottom. 

There were multiple wildfires in Los Angeles on January 8, including the Palisade Fire. The Santa Ana winds that worsened the other fires could also have worsened the situation at the Olivas fire zone.

If the investigation identifies a responsible party, those liable for the damage may include: 

• Government actors (federal, city, or county level)
• Utility companies (power, gas, telecommunications)
• Manufacturers of equipment like generators, transformers, or power lines
• Private individuals, if proven to be negligent or unlawful

How to file an Olivas Fire claim: eligibility and requirements

You may be eligible to file a claim if the Olivas Fire negatively impacted any of the following:

• your residence
• the rental property you live in
• your business premises
• your personal belongings and valuables
• your vehicles
• your pets or service animals
• your livestock
• your agricultural or residential lands

Steps to ensure a smooth wildfire claim process

1. Document the extent of the damages, including hidden damages caused by water, smoke, and ash.

• For documentation, keep a list of all the properties and items affected, along with photos and videos of each.

2. Notify your insurance provider as soon as you can.

3. Track every expense and keep the receipts, especially for the following:

• Temporary lodging
• Meals
• Costs incurred when you evacuated
• Lost business income or wages

4. Keep all records of communication.

• Save a copy of all announcements, emails, texts, and letters received from insurance companies and adjusters.

5. Seek a personal injury to help you fire a wildfire claim.

• Ataxia Law can help you by evaluating your case and connecting you with the best attorney fit to handle your situation.

Protect yourself from insurance bad faith

Filing wildfire insurance claims is not always smooth sailing. Your insurance company may act in bad faith, or you may be offered low compensation. The California Insurance Commissioner released a bulletin reminding insurers to uphold policyholder rights and to combat misinformation. Some of the misleading information given by adjusters may include:

• Telling homeowners they couldn’t receive full benefits or receive building code upgrade costs if they relocate.
• Telling homeowners that buying land property elsewhere will deduct the new land value from their full benefits.

At a time when getting proper compensation is critical to recovering from a crisis and rebuilding your life, having skilled representation might be your chance for the best outcome. Atraxia Law evaluates wildfire cases and connects victims to the best attorneys for personal injury lawsuits.

How much compensation you can get for Olivas Fire damages

Based on an estimate by the Insurance Journal, insurance firms have already paid at least $4 billion for the LA wildfires by the end of January 2025. Policyholders might experience getting settlement offers on the spot, but the executive director of the advocacy group United Policyholders recommended homeowners study policy details and the level of coverage they could get. Atraxia Law can connect you with a wildfire claims attorney who can help you negotiate offers and get the best compensation out of your coverage.

The following damages should be included:

• wrongful death
• personal injury
• emotional distress
• loss of crops
• business loss
• lost wages
• evacuation costs
• land value depreciation
• harm to pets or livestock
• damage to trees, underwood, or timber
• the expenses incurred to repair your home

Olivas Fire claims statute of limitations

Typically, you would have up to a year to file an insurance claim, but the actual time period ranges from 30 days to two years to file an insurance claim.

Different legal deadlines apply for various types of lawsuits under California law:

• Personal injury. File within two (2) years from the date the injury (or death of a family member) occurred.
• Property damage. File within three (3) years from the date the damage occurred.
• California government actor. File a written notice within six (6) months of the injury before filing a lawsuit.
• Federal government actor. File a pre-litigation claim, then file a lawsuit under the Federal Torts Claim Act within two (2) years of the incident.

Atraxia Law can help you in filing your Olivas Fire claim

In the aftermath of wildfires, you will face a process of collecting documentation and negotiating with insurers while you recover from distress, injuries, and financial losses. Atraxia Law has decades of experience assisting victims of incidents and disasters and getting them the best attorneys. Contact us today to get a free evaluation of your wildfire claim.