Toxic Exposure - Palisades
Toxic Contamination from the Palisades Fires:
The Palisades Fires caused devastation in Southern California—but long after the flames were extinguished, danger remains. Toxic contamination from these wildfires has left residents, first responders, and entire neighborhoods at risk due to hazardous materials like lead, heavy metals, and chemical pollutants.
These contaminants don’t just harm the environment—they impact homes, health, and community safety. And now, many families are discovering a second crisis: insurance companies refusing to pay for proper cleanup and decontamination.
At the California Fire Victims Law Center, we’re helping communities hold insurers and responsible parties accountable—so they can rebuild safely and recover fully.
The Hidden Threat of Lead Contamination
As detailed in a recent 60 Minutes investigation, families living near the burn zones are facing a slow-motion environmental crisis. Testing from homes in Palisades revealed arsenic contamination and lead levels 22 times higher than EPA safety standards. This isn't ordinary dust; it's a toxic mixture of hazardous materials from thousands of burned structures. Toxic residue continues to coat surfaces and circulate in the air, and insurance companies are pushing back, denying or limiting claims for essential cleanup.
This isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a legal and insurance battle impacting our entire community.
Who Is at Risk?
Toxins left behind after the Palisades Fires are invisible and dangerous. Without professional remediation, they can remain in homes, HVAC systems, yards, and water supplies for months—or even years.
At greatest risk are:
Children: vulnerable to lead exposure, which can cause cognitive and behavioral issues
Elderly residents: more susceptible to cancer, cardiovascular issues, and respiratory illness
People with asthma or chronic lung conditions: who face exacerbated symptoms and long-term damage
Navigating Insurance Denials
Many residents affected by the Palisades Fires assumed their insurance would cover toxic cleanup. Instead, many are discovering:
Coverage is being denied, delayed, or underpaid.
Remediation is often dismissed as “unnecessary” despite clear environmental danger.
Families are forced to live in contaminated homes or pay out of pocket.
Insurance companies are using technicalities to avoid their responsibilities, claiming toxic contamination isn't a "direct physical loss" – forcing California families to choose between financial hardship or living in dangerous environments.
The California Fire Victims Law Center is working with impacted homeowners to challenge these insurance denials and pursue justice from those responsible for the contamination.
What Can You Do If You’ve Been Affected?
If you or your community were impacted by the Palisades Fires and are now dealing with toxic contamination or insurance delays, even if your home or business is still standing, you may have a legal claim. California law offers some of the strongest consumer protections against insurance bad faith practices in the nation. Initial claim denials can and should be challenged when insurers use deceptive interpretations.
Don’t wait—these cases are time-sensitive, and your family’s health may be at risk every day you go without proper remediation. Contact the California Fire Victims Law Center today for a free consultation.