Imagine walking into what’s left of your home, only to realize everything you once owned is now ashes. It’s a devastating moment. What you may not realize, is that the steps you take in the hours and days after a fire are crucial.  In the first month of 2025, California has already faced several catastrophic wildfires, such as the Eaton Fire and the Hurst Fire, which devastated the communities of Pasadena, Altadena, and Sylmar. Thousands of families lost homes, businesses, and personal belongings, were displaced and suffered health issues from smoke inhalation.  Our team at the Law Offices of Timothy D. McGonigle is actively involved in the representation of victims of these devastating fires to ensure they receive the compensation they need to rebuild. Here’s what you need to know if you’ve been affected by a fire.  1. Capture Every Detail of the Damage with Photos and Videos  A picture might be worth a thousand words, but when it comes to fire damage, it could also be worth thousands of dollars. Start by taking as many photos and videos as possible of the destruction—inside, outside, every angle.  What to photograph: Walls, ceilings, floors, appliances, furniture, personal belongings, and even exterior areas like fences and landscaping.  Pro Tip: Use your phone’s timestamp feature to ensure your photos are properly dated. This will be critical if you need to prove the extent of your losses.  Victims often face disputes over how much damage their properties sustained. Having clear photographic evidence can make all the difference in ensuring your claim is taken seriously.  2. Create a Full Inventory of Lost Items  It might sound daunting, but creating a detailed list of everything you’ve lost is absolutely essential. Think of this like creating a receipt for your entire life.  How to start: Walk through the rooms (or what’s left of them) in your home and list everything that was there. Include descriptions, approximate purchase dates, and estimated values.  Why it matters: Insurance companies often underestimate the value of your belongings. A detailed inventory ensures you’re reimbursed fairly.  Many fire victims lose everything overnight. By creating an inventory, it may make it easier to recover compensation, not just for larger items such as furniture, but for clothing, electronics, tools, and even sentimental items.  3. Keep Every Receipt for Temporary Living Expenses  Did you have to book a hotel, replace clothes, or buy food after evacuating? Keep every single receipt. These expenses, known as "Additional Living Expenses" (ALE), are sometimes reimbursable by insurance policies.  Examples of ALE: Hotel stays, restaurant meals, toiletries, transportation costs, and temporary rentals.  Pro Tip: Use an envelope or folder to keep all physical receipts together and create a digital backup on your phone.  For those displaced by the fire, ALE reimbursements provide a critical financial lifeline while individuals wait to return home or rebuild. Without receipts, however, those reimbursements can be nearly impossible to claim.   4. Gather Proof of Ownership or Rental Agreements  Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, you’ll need documentation to prove you lived at the property. If your documents were destroyed in the fire, don’t panic—most of these records can be replaced.  For homeowners: Retrieve deeds, property tax statements, or mortgage documents.  For renters: Look for lease agreements, utility bills, or anything else that ties you to the property.  This paperwork can serve as the foundation of your claim, and is especially important for renters impacted by fires who often assume they can’t recover losses. The truth? Renters have rights too.  5. Document Communication with Your Insurance Company  Dealing with insurance companies can feel like running a marathon with hurdles every step of the way. Keep a record of every email, phone call, and letter exchanged.  What to document: The date, time, and details of every conversation, plus the name of the representative you spoke to.  Pro Tip: Use email whenever possible—it provides a written record that can’t be disputed.  Many fire victims have similar experiences of delayed or denied claims. Having a clear paper trail can protect you from unfair practices and strengthen your case.  6. Don’t Forget Medical Records if You’ve Suffered Injuries  Fires don’t just damage property—they can harm people too. If you or your loved ones experienced smoke inhalation, burns, or emotional trauma, document it thoroughly.  What to include: Doctor visits, hospital bills, prescriptions, and even therapist notes for emotional distress.  Why it matters: Personal injury claims can add significant value to your case, but only if they’re backed by proper documentation.  Many fire victims experience severe smoke inhalation due to prolonged exposure while evacuating. Claims can cover not only medical expenses but also address the lasting impact onquality of life.  7. Track Any Business or Income Losses  For business owners, the ripple effects of a fire can be devastating. If your business has been forced to close or you’ve lost income due to the fire, document every detail.  What to include: Records of lost revenue, destroyed inventory, canceled contracts, and additional expenses to keep operations running.  Pro Tip: Work with an accountant to ensure you capture all financial losses accurately.  Businesses and/or business owners impacted by prior fires have turned to us after struggling to recover lost profits. With the right documentation, these claims can include everything from inventory loss to lost customers.  Why Documentation Alone Isn’t Always Enough  Now that you know what to document, here’s the hard truth: even with a mountain of evidence, insurance companies don’t always play fair. They might undervalue your claim, delay payouts, or even deny it outright. That’s where legal representation comes in.  We are currently representing victims of the Eaton Fire and Hurst Fire, helping them navigate these exact challenges. From dealing with insurance adjusters to filing lawsuits when necessary, having a skilled fire attorney on your side can be the difference between a fair settlement and an uphill battle.  Rebuild Your Future with Confidence  Losing your home to a fire is one of the hardest things you can go through, but you don’t have to face it alone. By documenting everything thoroughly and seeking expert help, you can rebuild your life with the support you deserve.  Schedule a free consultation with our team today to learn how we can help you navigate this challenging time. Call us at (800) 713-5260!  You’ve been through enough already—let us help you take the next step forward.