Watch the EFRU August 24 speaker series event recording of Fire Litigation – Approaching the Decision Point where attorneys James Lee, Jeff Raizner, and Kim Stone joined EFRU for a community conversation about the legal and insurance issues facing standing-home survivors as claims reached critical decision points. Topics included ALE shut-offs and strategies to push back, working with public adjusters on smoke contamination claims, and statute-of-limitations deadlines including insurer settlement timing and waivers.. This event is especially relevant for survivors still battling insurers over testing and proper remediation of standing homes, disputing contents replacement, or experiencing health symptoms after returning home.Action: View the recording.————————————————————————————

9/6/26 9/6/26

Purdue / California Department of Insurance Environmental-Testing Guidance

A Purdue presentation prepared for the California Department of Insurance Smoke Claims and Remediation Task Force documents major inconsistencies in testing and remediation after the Eaton and Palisades fires. It emphasizes that testing only for visible ash, soot or char does not determine whether hazards such as lead or asbestos are present, and that incomplete sampling locations or inconsistent comparison standards can miss contamination.Action: Review the Purdue / CDI Presentation | Building Environmental Testing Guide | REBUILD Survey Report.————————————————————————————

9/6/26 9/6/26

Rebuilding, Contractor & Permitting

● United Policyholders Rebuilding & Contractor Guides has practical guides for survivors entering reconstruction, including builder’s-risk insurance, working with contractors, questions to ask before hiring, reviewing adjuster and contractor estimates, and rebuilding insurance issues. Builder's Risk Insurance | Working With Your Contractor | Questions to Ask a Contractor | Reviewing Estimates.● CA Contractors State License Board CSLB representatives will be at the EFC Collaboratory, 540 W. Woodbury Rd, on September 10 from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. No appointment is necessary. CSLB staff can help residents verify contractor licenses, review contract/payment questions, understand homeowner rights and address complaints. Disaster-related home-improvement contracts should use a fixed price rather