2013 Lithgow Bushfire

On October 16 2013, a fire at the Marrangaroo Training Centre, near Lithgow in New South Wales, burnt 56,000 hectares of land in the Lithgow area. The fire, which burnt for almost a month, also destroyed three houses and a number of other structures.

In June 2014, the Department of Defence issued a report of its own Commission of Inquiry into the October 16 fire.

This report found that fire prevention strategies at the department-owned training ground had not been properly implemented for 20 years, and that the fire was caused by the detonation of unexploded rounds of amunition. These rounds were detonated on a day of high fire risk so as to avoid having to transport them back to the department's storage area.

In light of these, and other findings of a similar nature, Maddens Lawyers are now encoruaging Lithgow area residents impacted by the fire to seriously consider making claims for compensation.

Maddens Lawyers Principal and Bushfire Compensation Expert Brendan Pendergast said victims should utilise Maddens' own 'No Win, No Fee' approach to these types of claims, ensuring that regardless of the result of any legal action, they would not be worse off be seeking help to lodge any claims.

"Any compensation payouts will be greater than the costs incurred to lodge them," he explained. "On the other hand, if the case doesn't stand up, there are no legal fees to pay."

Victims of the Lithgow fire looking for more information about lodging a claim for compensation can contact Maddens Lawyers