One year after the Eaton and Palisades fires, some Southern California homeowners say their toughest fight has come not from the flames—but from their insurance companies.
Kabateck LLP managing partner Shant Karnikian spoke to the Daily Journal about how insurers have generally paid total-loss claims more readily than claims involving smoke, ash, and contamination—even as some families remain displaced nearly a year later.
“Where we’re seeing a lot of issues is in cases where homes have been contaminated,” Karnikian told the Daily Journal. “And we see those claims getting dragged out. Here we are almost a year to the date after the fire and we still have multiple clients who have not been able to move back, despite their home not being burned down.”
According to Karnikian, insurers often treat contamination as a minor cleanup issue rather than a full remediation problem. He noted that insurers may argue belongings like electronics, appliances, bedding, or clothing can simply be cleaned—despite environmental consultants warning otherwise.
The article also highlights Kabateck LLP’s lawsuit against Knight Specialty Insurance on behalf of Palisades homeowners who allege months-long delays, ignored expert reports, and a claims process that effectively restarted nearly a year after the fire.
“It’s just unfair that these people are still out of their house,” Karnikian said. “They’re not on a path to rebuilding or recovery—through no fault of their own.”
Read the full article in the Daily Journal here (subscription required.)