As wildfires intensify across the western United States, vineyard owners and winemakers are facing a growing and costly threat: smoke taint. This condition, caused by exposure to wildfire smoke, can devastate an entire grape harvest, damage a winery’s reputation, and result in substantial financial losses.
Singleton Schreiber represents individuals and businesses impacted by wildfire-related damage, including vineyard owners and wineries facing smoke taint losses. If your business has experienced harm due to wildfire smoke or fire, legal options may be available.
What ...
The Cram wildfire ignited near Willowdale in central Oregon on July 13, 2025, and has quickly become the largest wildfire in the country this year. The massive blaze has scorched more than 95,000 acres across Jefferson, Wasco, and Crook counties, with firefighters working tirelessly to keep it from growing even larger. Fueled by dry conditions, high winds, and steep terrain, the fire has already destroyed two homes and 14 outbuildings, threatening hundreds more and prompting widespread evacuations.
Although cooler weather and increased humidity in recent days have helped slow ...
Each year, fireworks are a central part of Independence Day celebrations across the United States. However, as consumer access to fireworks continues to grow, so too does the number of injuries and fatalities linked to their use. Recent data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) highlights a sharp and alarming rise in firework-related incidents, underscoring the need for greater awareness, regulation, and accountability.
In 2024, fireworks-related injuries surged to an estimated 14,700, up from 9,700 in 2023 – marking a 52% increase, the highest single-year ...
Officials are investigating whether fireworks were improperly stored at the Esparto facility.
A fireworks warehouse in the rural town of Esparto, California, exploded on the evening of Tuesday, July 1, 2025, killing at least one person and leaving seven others unaccounted for, according to Cal Fire. The incident occurred at a facility operated by Devastating Pyrotechnics, a company with decades of experience producing fireworks displays throughout California. The blast flattened the building, ignited a wildfire that burned 78 acres, and caused widespread evacuations and ...
With wildfire activity expected to intensify across the United States this summer, many homeowners in high-risk regions are facing the growing concern of losing their homeowners' insurance. As wildfires become more frequent and severe, insurance companies are reevaluating the risks, and in some cases, choosing to cancel or not renew policies altogether.
If your home is in a wildfire-prone area, it’s essential to understand your rights, your state’s protections, and what steps you can take if your coverage is dropped.
Why Insurers May Drop Your Homeowners Insurance
In most ...
Speaking up about serious workplace issues, such as safety violations, fraud, or harassment, takes courage, especially in a unionized environment where workplace issues are addressed through established procedures. If you’ve witnessed illegal or unethical behavior and are considering reporting it, it’s crucial to understand your rights as a whistleblower and the protections available to you.
The Rowena Fire, which erupted near the Columbia River Gorge on Wednesday, June 11th has burned over 3,800 acres including over 49 homes and forced urgent evacuations as flames approached homes and structures in Wasco County, Oregon. While fire crews have made progress containing the blaze, questions are mounting about what ignited it. Is this yet another preventable disaster linked to corporate negligence?
Beyond Workers’ Comp: Uncovering Third-Party Claims to Maximize Injury Recovery
If you’ve been hurt at work, your first instinct may be to file a workers’ compensation claim. While this is the smart thing to do, it may not be your only option.
Many workplace injuries aren’t just the result of bad luck or clumsiness. They’re caused by defective equipment, dangerous work conditions created by outside contractors, or careless drivers who don’t work for your employer. When someone outside your company is responsible, you may have more than just a workers’ compensation ...
At a time when Californians face increasing risks from wildfires, rising medical costs, and ongoing litigation, the state’s largest insurer, State Farm, is now withdrawing critical protections—leaving policyholders exposed when they need coverage most.
In a recent move, State Farm has announced a sweeping list of disqualifying traits and activities that make policyholders ineligible for its California Personal Liability Umbrella Program, a type of policy that offers at least $1 million in extra protection. The exclusions now include everyday situations, such as homeowners who have filed just two claims in five years. So, filing for smoke, water, or storm damage, risks that are increasingly common in California due to extreme weather and wildfires, can now put ordinary homeowners at risk of losing essential coverage for routine events.
For many, these umbrella policies are not luxuries, they serve as a lifeline and essential safeguard. Removing access to this level of protection leaves countless individuals and families at risk of financial devastation.
I’ve been on two wheels most of my life.
My first motorcycle was purchased as a freshman in college for the sole purpose of affordable transportation. For a few thousand dollars, I was able to get around town and to and from school. Rain or shine, summer or winter, I soon found myself experiencing more than just getting from one point to the next, and before I knew it, I was hooked on what I came to call “clearing my head time.” Forty years and over 500,000 miles later, I am still enjoying each ride as if it was my first time.
There is something about being in the wind, experiencing every aspect ...