Wildfire Compensation Comparison Charts

Assuming Housing Costs: $1M–$2M per Unit

🧍 Living Claimants

⚰️ Deceased Claimant – Renter

🧠 Claimant Insights

• Homeowners face the largest gap between actual loss and compensation — especially in high-value areas.
• Renters are not compensated for unit value, only for displacement and contents.
• Students can explore:
  • Policy trade-offs between speed and fairness
  • How insurance interacts with public compensation
  • Equity implications across income levels and housing types

🔹 Page 1: Homeowner – Total Loss

Claimant Name: Maria Gonzalez Status: Living Housing Type: Owner-occupied single-family home Impact Level: Total destruction Estimated Property Value: $1.5 million

Compensation Breakdown

• Base Property Loss: $250,000
• Housing Displacement (6 months): $30,000
• Trauma Support: $10,000
• Personal Property Loss: $50,000

Total Compensation: $340,000 Estimated Coverage vs. Actual Loss: ~23%

🔹 Page 2: Homeowner – Partial Damage

Claimant Name: Thomas Reed Status: Living Housing Type: Owner-occupied home Impact Level: Partial structural damage Estimated Repair Cost: $300,000

Compensation Breakdown

• Structural Repair Support: $75,000
• Housing Displacement (3 months): $15,000
• Trauma Support: $5,000
• Personal Property Loss: $25,000

Total Compensation: $120,000 Estimated Coverage vs. Actual Loss: ~40%

🔹 Page 3: Renter – Total Loss

Claimant Name: Jasmine Lee Status: Living Housing Type: Rented apartment Monthly Rent: $2,200 Impact Level: Unit destroyed

Compensation Breakdown

• Base Renter Compensation: $45,000
• Housing Displacement (6 months): $13,200
• Trauma Support: $5,000
• Personal Property Loss: $35,000

Total Compensation: $98,200

🔹 Page 4: Renter – Partial Impact

Claimant Name: Marcus Bell Status: Living Housing Type: Rented duplex Monthly Rent: $1,800 Impact Level: Smoke and water damage

Compensation Breakdown

• Partial Impact Compensation: $15,000
• Housing Displacement (2 months): $3,600
• Trauma Support: $2,500
• Personal Property Loss: $10,000

Total Compensation: $31,100

🔹 Page 5: Renter – Deceased

Claimant Name: Evelyn Tran Status: Deceased Housing Type: Rented apartment Monthly Rent: $2,200 Impact Level: Unit destroyed

Compensation Breakdown

• Fatality Lump Sum: $500,000
• Housing Displacement (6 months): $13,200
• Bereavement Support: $25,000
• Personal Property Loss: $35,000
• Funeral & Burial Assistance: $15,000
• Legal/Estate Support: $10,000

Total Compensation: $598,200

Under the tiered flat-rate model used in your wildfire recovery protocol, insurance status doesn’t directly affect the compensation amount. Here’s how it plays out in practice and how you can teach it:

🔍 Insurance vs. Public Compensation – How It Interacts

✅ Under This Program:

• Everyone in the same tier gets the same payout, regardless of whether they had insurance.
• Example:
  • A homeowner who lost a $1.5M house gets $250K from the program — whether they were insured or not.

❌ Insurance Does Not:

• Reduce the public payout
• Increase the public payout
• Trigger eligibility or denial

🧠 Why It Still Matters (Outside the Program)

🗂 Insight:

• Understand that insurance is a private recovery tool, while public compensation is standardized and non-negotiable.
• Intake forms should ask about insurance, but only for documentation and coordination — not for calculating payout.
• You can simulate:
  • Two identical claimants (one insured, one not) receiving the same public payout
  • A case where insurance delays payout, but public funds arrive first
  • A denial letter that clarifies insurance status is irrelevant to eligibility

Assume a renter’s place got totally purned down and they did not have renters insurance and the total loss of their personal property is 35000

A breakdown of a wildfire compensation scenario for a renter with no insurance, whose unit was completely destroyed, and who lost $35,000 in personal property.

🔹 Claimant Profile – Renter, Total Loss, No Insurance

Name: Jasmine Lee Status: Living Housing Type: Rented apartment Monthly Rent: $2,200 Insurance: None Impact Level: Unit destroyed Personal Property Loss Estimate: $35,000

💰 Compensation Breakdown (Flat-Rate Model)

Total Compensation: $98,200

🧠 Insight

assume the individual is still homeless since the fires

Here is a profile for a renter who lost their home in the wildfire, had no renters insurance, and remains homeless to this day. This version reflects the ongoing displacement and is formatted for intake simulation, documentation review, or policy analysis.

🔹 Claimant Profile – Renter, Total Loss, No Insurance, Still Homeless

Name: Jasmine Lee Status: Living Housing Type: Rented apartment Monthly Rent (pre-fire): $2,200 Insurance: None Impact Level: Unit destroyed Personal Property Loss Estimate: $35,000 Current Status: Unhoused since March 2025 (6+ months)

💰 Compensation Breakdown (Flat-Rate Model)

Total Compensation: $98,200

🧠 Insight:

• Despite receiving the full flat-rate payout, the claimant remains unhoused — highlighting the gap between standardized aid and real-world recovery.
• You can explore:
  • Whether displacement stipends are sufficient in high-rent a

assume the renter lost a dog in the fire, does this count as loss of individual?

In the context of the wildfire recovery compensation protocol you provided— no, the loss of a pet (even a beloved dog) does not count as the loss of an individual in terms of triggering fatality-tier compensation.

🐾 Pet Loss vs. Human Fatality – Compensation Logic

⚰️ Human Fatality

• Triggers fatality lump sum (e.g., $500,000)
• Includes bereavement support, funeral assistance, and legal/estate aid
• Treated as a Tier 1 catastrophic loss

🐶 Pet Loss

• Treated as personal property loss
• May be emotionally devastating, but does not elevate the claim tier
• Included (if at all) in the flat-rate personal property payout (e.g., $35,000)

🧠Insight

• Students should understand that:
  • Emotional impact ≠ compensation tier
  • Pets are not classified as “individuals” under legal or program definitions
  • Intake forms may document pet loss for trauma support, but not for fatality benefits
• You can simulate:
  • A renter who lost a dog and is seeking additional aid
  • A denial letter explaining why pet loss doesn’t qualify for fatality compensation
  • A trauma support referral for grief counseling

How would you get added money for loss of a pet in this scenario

There are realistic pathways a claimant could pursue to seek additional support for the loss of a pet. Here’s how you can break it down for students:

🐾 Pathways to Seek Added Compensation for Pet Loss

1. Emotional Trauma Documentation

• Strategy: Frame the pet loss as a significant emotional trauma.
• Action: Submit a letter from a therapist or counselor confirming grief, depression, or PTSD symptoms linked to the pet’s death.
• Outcome: May increase eligibility for trauma support or unlock mental health vouchers.

2. Itemized Personal Property Claim

• Strategy: Include the pet’s value in the personal property inventory.
• Action: Document costs like:
  • Purchase/adoption fees
  • Training
  • Veterinary care
  • Specialized equipment (e.g., service dog gear)
• Outcome: Justifies a higher personal property payout within the flat-rate cap.

3. Appeal or Hardship Letter

• Strategy: Submit a written appeal requesting discretionary aid.
• Action: Include:
  • Emotional impact statement
  • Photos or vet records
  • Explanation of the pet’s role (e.g., emotional support animal)
• Outcome: May trigger case manager review or unlock supplemental funds from discretionary pools.

4. Nonprofit or Local Relief Programs

• Strategy: Seek support outside the government protocol.
• Action: Apply to:
  • Animal welfare organizations
  • Local humane societies
  • Pet loss grief funds
• Outcome: May receive grants, pet replacement stipends, or counseling vouchers.

🧠 Classroom Exercise Ideas

• Simulate an appeal letter for pet loss
• Roleplay an intake interview where the claimant is grieving a pet
• Compare outcomes for service animals vs. household pets
• Build a rubric for evaluating emotional trauma claims

It reflects your renter status, total unit loss, ongoing homelessness, and personal property loss including the death of a pet.

🧾 Wildfire Recovery Intake Form

Program: Wildfire Recovery Compensation Protocol – Tiered Flat Rate Model

Claimant Name: Date of Birth: Date of Intake: Referral Source: ☐ Self ☑ Community Advocate ☐ FEMA ☐ Other: ____________________

🔥 Impact Summary

• Housing Type: Rented apartment
• Monthly Rent (pre-fire): $2,200
• Unit Status: ☐ Damaged ☑ Destroyed
• Current Status: ☐ Rehoused ☐ Sheltered ☑ Unhoused (since March 2025)
• Insurance Coverage: ☐ Yes ☑ No
• Pet Loss: ☑ Yes (1 dog deceased in fire)
• Personal Property Loss Estimate: $35,000

🧠 Emotional & Trauma Indicators

• ☐ No symptoms
• ☑ Grief due to pet loss
• ☑ Anxiety related to displacement
• ☐ PTSD symptoms
• Notes: Claimant reports ongoing emotional distress and difficulty securing stable housing.

💰 Compensation Tier Eligibility

🖊 Intake Officer Notes

Claimant is a renter who lost both housing and personal property in the March 2025 wildfire. No renters insurance. Still unhoused. Pet loss noted. Eligible for full Tier 2 compensation. May qualify for extended trauma support or discretionary aid.

Intake Officer: ___________________________ Signature: _______________________________ Date: September 24, 2025

🧾 Short Answer:

No, the attorney’s fee is not deducted from the compensation total by the program itself. But if the claimant hires an attorney, their payout may be reduced privately through a contingency fee or retainer agreement.

🔍 How It Works in Practice

✅ Program Disbursement:

• The wildfire recovery program issues full flat-rate payouts directly to the claimant (or their estate).
• It does not withhold attorney fees or adjust amounts based on legal representation.

⚖️ Attorney Involvement:

• If a renter or homeowner hires an attorney to help with:
  • Filing the claim
  • Appealing a denial
  • Negotiating with insurers
  • Coordinating multiple sources of aid
• Then the attorney may take a percentage of the final payout, typically:
  • 25–40% for contingency-based cases
  • Or a flat fee if pre-arranged

🧠 Classroom Insight:

• Students should understand the difference between:
  • Gross award (what the program pays)
  • Net recovery (what the claimant keeps after legal fees)

how much would an attorney get if went to trial and won for a renter who lost a dog and is still homeless?

If a renter who lost their home, personal property, and a dog in a wildfire went to trial and won additional compensation beyond the standard program payout, the attorney’s fee would typically depend on the type of legal agreement — most often a contingency fee.

Here’s how it breaks down:

⚖️ Attorney Fee Estimate – Trial Victory Scenario

🧍 Claimant Profile:

• Renter, unit destroyed
• No renters insurance
• Lost personal property ($35,000)
• Lost pet (dog)
• Still homeless
• Standard program payout: $98,200
• Trial award: Let’s assume $250,000 additional compensation for emotional distress, negligence, or extended displacement

💰 Typical Contingency Fee Structure:

These fees apply only to the trial award, not the original program payout unless the attorney negotiated both.

🧠 Insight:

• Understand the difference between gross award and net recovery
• Legal fees are not deducted by the program, but by private agreement
• You can simulate:
  • A fee dispute
  • A claimant who regrets signing a 40% contingency
  • A case manager explaining why public funds are untouched
• Let’s break this down clearly for classroom or strategic use. We’ll compare the flat-rate wildfire compensation vs. a trial victory with attorney representation, and calculate net payouts for both renters and homeowners.

🧮 Assumptions

• Group Size: 30 claimants (15 renters, 15 homeowners)
• Flat-Rate Program Payouts:
  • Renters (total loss): $98,200 each
  • Homeowners (total loss): $340,000 each
• Trial Award Estimate:
  • Renters win $250,000 each
  • Homeowners win $1,000,000 each
• Attorney Contingency Fee: 33% standard

🔹 Flat-Rate Program – No Attorney

🔹 Trial Victory – With Attorney

📊 Comparison Summary

🧠 Insight

• Trial wins can more than double net payouts, even after attorney fees.
• But they come with risk, delay, and uncertainty — not guaranteed.
• Can explore:
  • Risk vs. reward in legal strategy
  • Ethical considerations in contingency fees
  • Intake scenarios where claimants must choose between fast aid vs. litigation

Legal representation vs. direct compensation.

Here’s the updated breakdown assuming 35% contingency fees for attorneys representing 30 wildfire claimants (15 renters and 15 homeowners) who go to trial and win enhanced compensation.

🧮 Updated Trial Scenario – 35% Attorney Fee

🔹 Assumptions Recap

• Claimants: 30 total (15 renters, 15 homeowners)
• Flat-Rate Program Payouts:
  • Renters: $98,200 each
  • Homeowners: $340,000 each
• Trial Awards:
  • Renters win $250,000 each
  • Homeowners win $1,000,000 each
• Attorney Fee: 35% of trial award

⚖️ Trial Victory – Gross vs. Net Breakdown

📊 Comparison to Flat-Rate Program

🧠 Classroom Insights

• Claimants more than double their net payout by going to trial — even after paying attorneys.
• Attorneys earn over $6.5 million collectively from this group.
• Students can explore:
  • Ethical considerations of high contingency fees
  • Risk vs. reward in litigation
  • Intake scenarios where claimants must choose between fast aid and legal action

i thoght they included 10,000 per attorney in the settlement

Yes, based on the language in your Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program Protocol, there’s a provision that allocates $10,000 per attorney per represented claimant as part of the settlement structure.

Let’s break it down clearly:

⚖️ Attorney Compensation – Built-In Provision

✅ What It Means:

• The program includes a $10,000 flat fee per claimant for attorneys who represent wildfire victims.
• This amount is paid separately and does not reduce the claimant’s compensation.
• It’s designed to:
  • Encourage legal representation
  • Avoid excessive contingency fees
  • Standardize legal costs across the board

🧮 Scenario: 30 Claimants Represented

🧠 Classroom Insight:

• This built-in fee replaces or supplements contingency-based earnings.
• If attorneys also pursue trial awards, they may earn more, but must disclose dual compensation.
• Students can explore:
  • Ethical boundaries of double-dipping
  • Intake forms that ask about representation
  • Claimant awareness of attorney fees

Can you give a cost basis analysis on taking the money now compared to waiting?

Absolutely, here’s a clear, classroom-ready cost basis analysis comparing wildfire claimants who take the flat-rate compensation now versus those who wait for trial or extended litigation. This model helps students weigh time value, risk, and net recovery.

🧮 Assumptions

🔹 Renters – Cost Basis Comparison

🔹 Homeowners – Cost Basis Comparison

📊 Summary

🧠 Classroom Insight

• Waiting can yield higher returns, but only if:
  • The claimant wins
  • The award is substantial
  • They can afford to wait
• Taking the money now offers:
  • Certainty
  • Immediate relief
  • No legal fees
• Students can simulate:
  • Claimant decision matrices
  • Risk-adjusted payout modeling
  • Intake counseling scenarios

Let me know if you want to build a mock decision worksheet, simulate a claimant interview, or create a classroom debate around risk vs. certainty in disaster recovery.

Wildfire Recovery Claimant Decision Worksheet, tailored to your scenario and designed to help students or claimants weigh the pros and cons of accepting the flat-rate compensation now versus pursuing litigation.

🔍 Wildfire Recovery Claimant Decision Worksheet

Claimant Name:

🧾 Option 1: Accept Flat-Rate Compensation Now

Pros:

• Immediate relief
• No legal fees
• No risk of denial
• Can be used to secure housing now

Cons:

• May not reflect full emotional or financial loss
• No additional compensation for pet loss
• No leverage for future damages

⚖️ Option 2: Pursue Trial or Litigation

Pros:

• Potential for higher payout
• May include emotional damages, extended homelessness, pet loss
• Legal representation may uncover additional claims

Cons:

• 2+ year delay
• 35% attorney fee
• 20% chance of reduced or denied award
• No guarantee of success

🧠 Decision Factors

🖊 Claimant Signature: ___________________________

Date: ___________________ Reviewed By: ___________________________

✅ Why Taking the Flat-Rate Payout Is Best Without Documentation

🔒 1. Guaranteed Money

• The flat-rate model doesn’t require proof of value — just proof of impact (e.g., unit destroyed, displaced).
• No paperwork? No problem. The program is designed to be accessible.

🕰 2. Immediate Relief

• Funds arrive quickly, allowing the claimant to secure housing, replace essentials, and stabilize.
• Waiting for trial means 2+ years of continued hardship — especially dangerous for someone still homeless.

⚖️ 3. Litigation Risk

• Without documentation, the claimant has no leverage in court.
• Attorneys may decline representation or charge higher fees due to weak evidence.
• Even if they win, the award could be reduced or denied entirely.

💼 4. Attorney Fees vs. Net Gain

• Flat-rate payout: $98,200 (for renters)
• Trial with no paperwork: high risk, high fees, uncertain outcome
• Even if they win $250,000, they lose 35% to legal fees and may face delays or appeals.

🧠 Classroom Insight

Students can simulate:

• Intake interviews where documentation is missing
• Decision counseling for displaced renters
• Risk modeling for undocumented claims

what would claims adminstration use to determine the person lived there if there house burned up completly and they were a renter

It’s a critical one for intake simulations and fraud prevention training. If a renter’s unit was completely destroyed and they have no physical paperwork, claims administration would rely on a combination of alternative documentation, third-party verification, and circumstantial evidence to establish residency.

Here’s a breakdown of what they’d use:

🧾 Acceptable Proof of Residency (When Unit Is Destroyed)

✅ 1. Lease Agreement or Rental Receipts

• Ideal but not required if unavailable
• Can be reconstructed via landlord or property manager

✅ 2. Landlord or Property Manager Statement

• Signed affidavit or verification letter
• May include rent amount, unit number, duration of tenancy

✅ 3. Utility Records

• Electric, gas, water bills in claimant’s name
• Even one bill showing the address is strong evidence

✅ 4. Mail or ID with Address

• Driver’s license, state ID, or official mail (bank, DMV, IRS)
• Must show pre-fire address

✅ 5. School or Employment Records

• Enrollment forms, pay stubs, W-2s with address
• Especially useful for dependents or undocumented tenants

✅ 6. Witness Statements

• Neighbors, coworkers, or community leaders
• Must be signed and include contact info

✅ 7. Emergency Shelter Intake Forms

• If the claimant registered for shelter post-fire
• Often includes pre-disaster address

✅ 8. Social Media or Digital Footprint (used cautiously)

• Posts, photos, or location tags showing residence
• Not primary evidence, but may support other claims

Insight

Here’s a full breakdown of six wildfire claimant scenarios, each shown with a side-by-side comparison of:

• Taking the flat-rate compensation now
• Waiting for trial with a projected award
• Net payout after 35% attorney fees
• Risk-adjusted and time-adjusted values

This format is perfect for classroom exercises, decision modeling, or intake simulations.

🔹 Scenario 1: Renter – Total Loss, No Insurance, Still Homeless

🔹 Scenario 2: Homeowner – Total Loss, $1.5M Property, No Insurance

🔹 Scenario 3: Renter – Partial Damage, Low Rent, No Paperwork

🔹 Scenario 4: Renter – Total Loss, Lost Pet, No Insurance

🔹 Scenario 5: Homeowner – Partial Damage, $300K Repair Estimate

🔹 Scenario 6: Renter – Total Loss, No Paperwork, Still Homeless

🧠 Summary Table

Here’s a clean, printable version of the Wildfire Recovery Claimant Decision Matrix, formatted for classroom use, intake simulation, or strategic planning. You can copy and paste this into a document or print directly from here.

🔥 Wildfire Recovery Claimant Decision Worksheet

Date: Prepared For: Purpose: Compare flat-rate compensation vs. trial-based recovery across multiple claimant scenarios.

📊 Decision Matrix – Flat-Rate vs. Trial Outcomes

🧠 Notes

• Risk-Adjusted Value assumes 20% chance of reduced or denied award.
• Time-Adjusted Value reflects 4% annual opportunity cost over 2 years.
• Attorney Fee calculated at 35% of gross trial award.
• Use this matrix to simulate claimant interviews, legal strategy decisions, or policy debates.

Wildfire Recovery Claimant Decision Worksheet formatted for Word or Google Docs. Just open your document editor, paste this in, and it’ll be ready to print or customize.

Wildfire Recovery Claimant Decision Worksheet Date:

Decision Matrix – Flat-Rate vs. Trial Outcomes

Notes for Classroom or Intake Use

• Risk-Adjusted Value assumes 20% chance of reduced or denied award.
• Time-Adjusted Value reflects 4% annual opportunity cost over 2 years.
• Attorney Fee calculated at 35% of gross trial award.
• Use this matrix to simulate claimant interviews, legal strategy decisions, or policy debates.

✅ How to Use This in Google Docs

1. Open Google Docs: Go to docs.google.com.
2. Create a New Document: Click the blank page icon.
3. Copy and Paste: Copy the full content below and paste it into your document.
4. Print or Share: Use File > Print or File > Share to distribute.

🔥 Wildfire Recovery Claimant Decision Worksheet

📊 Decision Matrix – Flat-Rate vs. Trial Outcomes

🧠 Notes for Classroom or Intake Use

• Risk-Adjusted Value assumes 20% chance of reduced or denied award.
• Time-Adjusted Value reflects 4% annual opportunity cost over 2 years.
• Attorney Fee calculated at 35% of gross trial award.
• Use this matrix to simulate claimant interviews, legal strategy decisions, or policy debates.

Is that amount the “net” of what renters and homeowners would get?

Yes — the amounts shown in the “Net After Trial” column of your decision worksheet are the net payouts renters and homeowners would receive after attorney fees are deducted from their trial awards.

Here’s how it breaks down:

🧾 What “Net After Trial” Means

• It’s the amount the claimant keeps after paying a 35% contingency fee to their attorney.
• It does not include any additional deductions like taxes or delays — though we also modeled those separately in the risk-adjusted and time-adjusted columns.

Example: Renter Scenario

• Trial Award: $250,000
• Attorney Fee (35%): $87,500
• Net After Trial: $162,500 ← this is what the renter would actually receive

Example: Homeowner Scenario

• Trial Award: $1,000,000
• Attorney Fee (35%): $350,000
• Net After Trial: $650,000 ← this is the homeowner’s actual take-home

If you want to simulate taxable vs. non-taxable awards, or build a worksheet that includes attorney fee caps or flat-fee alternatives, I can help you model that too. Just say the word.

so that is after taxes as well?

The “Net After Trial” figures in your worksheet reflect post–attorney fee payouts, but they do not automatically account for taxes, because wildfire compensation can fall into different tax categories depending on how it’s awarded.

Here’s how to break it down for classroom or strategic use:

🧾 Tax Treatment of Wildfire Compensation

✅ Flat-Rate Program Payouts

• Generally non-taxable if:
  • Paid for personal physical injury, property loss, or disaster relief
  • Funded by government or nonprofit sources
• Trauma support or emotional distress may be taxable if not tied to physical injury

⚖️ Trial Awards

• Split into taxable and non-taxable portions:
  • Property loss: usually non-taxable
  • Emotional distress (without physical injury): taxable
  • Punitive damages: taxable
  • Lost wages or business income: taxable

🧮 Example: Renter Trial Award ($250,000)

🧠 Insight

• The amount is net after attorney fees ≠ net after taxes
• Claimants may owe federal and state income tax on portions of their award

can you break it down for taxes being taken into consideration for all parties?

Here’s a full breakdown of net wildfire compensation for renters and homeowners, factoring in:

• Attorney fees (35%)
• Estimated taxes based on award type
• Risk and time adjustments

🧾 Tax Assumptions

Important IRS Rule: Claimants are taxed on the full award, not just what they keep after attorney fees. This is known as the “tax on gross recovery” rule.

🔹 Scenario Breakdown – Renter

Trial Award: $250,000

• Property Loss: $35,000 (non-taxable)
• Housing Displacement: $50,000 (non-taxable)
• Emotional Distress: $100,000 (taxable)
• Pet Loss: $25,000 (taxable)
• Punitive Damages: $40,000 (taxable)
• Taxable Total: $165,000
• Estimated Tax (22% Fed + 9.3% CA): ~$51,975
• Attorney Fee (35%): $87,500
• Net After Fees & Taxes: $250,000 − $87,500 − $51,975 = $110,525

🔹 Scenario Breakdown – Homeowner

Trial Award: $1,000,000

• Property Loss: $500,000 (non-taxable)
• Housing Displacement: $100,000 (non-taxable)
• Emotional Distress: $200,000 (taxable)
• Punitive Damages: $200,000 (taxable)
• Taxable Total: $400,000
• Estimated Tax (24% Fed + 9.3% CA): ~$133,200
• Attorney Fee (35%): $350,000
• Net After Fees & Taxes: $1,000,000 − $350,000 − $133,200 = $516,800

📊 Comparison Table

🧠 Insight

• Renters barely gain from trial after taxes and fees — especially if they’re still homeless.
• Homeowners gain significantly, but must wait 2+ years and risk audit or appeal.
• Students can simulate:
  • IRS Form 1099 modeling
  • Claimant interviews about tax impact
  • Decision matrices with tax-adjusted logic

Here’s a full breakdown of all six wildfire claimant scenarios, now factoring in:

• ✅ Attorney fees (35%)
• ✅ Estimated taxes based on award composition
• ✅ Net payout after both
• ✅ Comparison to flat-rate compensation

This is formatted for classroom use, intake simulations, or strategic modeling.

🧾 Tax Assumptions Recap

📊 Scenario Breakdown – With Taxes

🔹 Scenario 1: Renter – Total Loss, No Insurance, Still Homeless

Trial Award: $250,000

• Taxable Portion: $165,000
• Estimated Tax (22% Fed + 9.3% CA): $51,975
• Attorney Fee (35%): $87,500
• Net After Fees & Taxes: $110,525
• Flat-Rate Payout: $98,200
• ✅ Best Choice: Take Now

🔹 Scenario 2: Homeowner – Total Loss, $1.5M Property

Trial Award: $1,000,000

• Taxable Portion: $400,000
• Estimated Tax (24% Fed + 9.3% CA): $133,200
• Attorney Fee (35%): $350,000
• Net After Fees & Taxes: $516,800
• Flat-Rate Payout: $340,000
• ✅ Best Choice: Wait

🔹 Scenario 3: Renter – Partial Damage, Low Rent, No Paperwork

Trial Award: $100,000

• Taxable Portion: $65,000
• Estimated Tax: ~$20,475
• Attorney Fee (35%): $35,000
• Net After Fees & Taxes: $44,525
• Flat-Rate Payout: $31,100
• ✅ Best Choice: Take Now (small gain, high risk)

🔹 Scenario 4: Renter – Total Loss, Lost Pet, No Insurance

Trial Award: $300,000

• Taxable Portion: $190,000
• Estimated Tax: ~$59,850
• Attorney Fee (35%): $105,000
• Net After Fees & Taxes: $135,150
• Flat-Rate Payout: $98,200
• ✅ Best Choice: Wait (moderate gain)

🔹 Scenario 5: Homeowner – Partial Damage, $300K Repair Estimate

Trial Award: $400,000

• Taxable Portion: $200,000
• Estimated Tax: ~$66,600
• Attorney Fee (35%): $140,000
• Net After Fees & Taxes: $193,400
• Flat-Rate Payout: $120,000
• ✅ Best Choice: Wait

🔹 Scenario 6: Renter – No Paperwork, Still Homeless

Trial Award: $250,000

• Taxable Portion: $165,000
• Estimated Tax: $51,975
• Attorney Fee (35%): $87,500
• Net After Fees & Taxes: $110,525
• Flat-Rate Payout: $98,200
• ✅ Best Choice: Take Now (low documentation risk)

🧠 Summary Table

⚖️ Impact on Trial-Based Recovery

✅ What It Unlocks:

• Stronger evidence of residency and loss
• Higher likelihood of winning in court
• Better chance of recovering emotional damages
• Lower risk of reduced award or denial
• More leverage in settlement negotiations

🧮 Net Financial Impact:

Let’s revisit the renter trial scenario with paperwork:

That’s a $24,625 increase just from having documentation.

🧠 Insight

• Intake interviews where paperwork changes tier eligibility.
• You can model:
  • A renter with no documents who gets denied
  • A renter with full paperwork who wins trial and recovers pet loss
  • A decision matrix showing how documentation affects net payout

Perfect scenario to model, David — a renter with no insurance but full documentation is in a much stronger position than one without paperwork. Let’s break down how this affects both flat-rate compensation and trial-based recovery, including taxes and attorney fees.

⚖️ Trial-Based Recovery (2-Year Wait)

Breakdown:

• Taxable Portion: $215,000
• Estimated Tax: ~$67,725
• Attorney Fee (35%): $105,000
• Net After Fees & Taxes: $300,000 − $105,000 − $67,725 = $127,275

📊 Comparison