Battle Over Smoke-Damaged Homes from LA County Wildfires Could Reshape Fire Insurance
Michelle Meyers, Partner at Singleton Schreiber, was featured by Los Angeles Daily News in an article titled "Battle Over Smoke-Damaged Homes from LA County Wildfires Could Reshape Fire Insurance," published on May 31, 2026.
Meyers and the firm are counsel for Eaton fire victims in several pending matters, including two possible class-action lawsuits arising from insurer disputes over smoke damage coverage.
The litigation addresses whether smoke-related contamination, including lead, cyanide, and heavy metals, constitutes a covered loss under California law, which mandates coverage for "loss by fire." With two bills advancing through the state Legislature alongside pending court cases, the outcome could produce enforceable testing and remediation standards with consequences that extend well beyond California.
In the article, Meyers noted: "You're almost better off if your house burns down. It eliminates much of the subjective nature of what you can fight about."
