Battle Over Smoke-Damaged Homes from LA County Wildfires Could Reshape Fire Insurance
Michelle Meyers, Partner at Singleton Schreiber, was featured by The Orange County Register 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 team represent fire victims in several pending cases stemming from the Eaton fire, including two possible class-action lawsuits.
The cases center on disputes between homeowners and insurers over smoke damage coverage following the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. At issue is whether toxic contaminants left behind by smoke, including lead, cyanide, and heavy metals, constitute covered losses under California law, which requires policies to cover "loss by fire." The outcome of pending litigation and two bills moving through the California Legislature could establish standards for testing and remediation and set a precedent with national implications.
Meyers stated, "You're almost better off if your house burns down. It eliminates much of the subjective nature of what you can fight about."
