Business closures
Your business was forced to close because of the fire
Shops, restaurants, and street vendors inside the shelter-in-place zone lost days of income through no fault of their own. That lost revenue may be recoverable.
Deadlines may apply
When a facility's fire shuts down a whole area, the small businesses nearby pay the price: closed doors, spoiled inventory, no foot traffic, and staff who still need to be paid. If a closure or shelter-in-place order kept your business dark, you may have a claim for what you lost.
Who this may apply to
- Restaurants, markets, salons, and retail shops near the fire
- Street vendors and stands that depend on foot traffic
- Service businesses that had to cancel or turn away customers
- Businesses whose stock, refrigeration, or equipment was affected
What may be recoverable
- Lost revenue and profit during the closure
- Spoiled inventory and perishable goods
- Payroll you covered while closed, and cleanup costs
- Smoke or odor damage to your space and equipment
An insurance claim and a claim against the parties responsible for the fire are not the same thing — and a settlement offer is not always what your losses are actually worth. It's worth understanding both before you sign anything.
What to gather
- Sales records from the same period in prior weeks or last year
- Photos of closures, damage, and spoiled stock
- Receipts, payroll records, and any cancellation messages
- Your lease and insurance policy, if you have them handy