Devastating wildfires continue to impact Southern California communities, with the January 2025 Los Angeles fires marking a catastrophic new chapter in the state’s wildfire crisis. The Palisades and Eaton fires alone destroyed over 10,000 structures and claimed multiple lives, with investigations pointing to failures by both the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Southern California Edison.
UPDATE – May 28, 2025
We have filed a class action lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles and LADWP on behalf of victims of the January 2025 Palisades Fire, which caused widespread damage in Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and Topanga Canyon. If you were affected by the Palisades Fire and you have not yet filed a claim, you may be eligible to participate in the lawsuit.
Click here to read more and see if you qualify »
Multiple lawsuits have been filed against Southern California Edison for the Altadena or Eaton Fire that became the second-most destructive wildfire in California history. Evidence suggests SCE’s transmission equipment may have sparked this catastrophe.
Understanding Wildfire Causes
Utility company negligence, particularly through poorly maintained power lines, represents a leading cause of California wildfires. From 2016 to 2020, electrical power equipment accounted for approximately 10% of all wildfires in areas under Cal Fire’s responsibility. This is one reason California has strict regulations on power line maintenance to minimize the risk they will spark a wildfire.
As of 2021, utilities reported nearly 40,000 miles of bare power lines in high fire-threat areas, creating substantial wildfire risks. To manage these risks, investor-owned utilities have implemented public safety power shutoffs, affecting more than 3.6 million customers between 2013 and 2021.
Edison’s Wildfire Liability
California law requires utilities to report all fire incidents involving their power lines. Southern California Edison (SCE), one of California’s largest utilities, has been involved in numerous devastating wildfires. From 2017-2018 alone, Edison’s electrical equipment was associated with multiple major fires that caused billions of dollars in damage.
CAL Fire investigations have consistently found Edison’s power lines responsible for major fires. The 2017 Thomas Fire, Edison’s largest liability to date, burned over 281,000 acres in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties when SCE power lines collided in Upper Analauf Canyon. In 2020, Edison agreed to pay $1.16 billion to settle insurance claims related to this single incident.
LADWP’s Growing Wildfire Liability
While Southern California Edison has historically dominated wildfire liability cases, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power now faces unprecedented scrutiny following the Palisades Fire. Our class action lawsuit alleges LADWP failed to de-energize power lines despite multiple red flag warnings and allowed critical water infrastructure to fail, leaving firefighters unable to contain the blaze. The empty LADWP reservoir and depleted water tanks represent a catastrophic failure of basic fire safety infrastructure in one of California’s highest-risk zones.
Major Wildfire Settlements
Edison’s involvement in California wildfires has resulted in multiple large settlements. In the Thomas Fire aftermath, SCE not only faced claims for the fire damage but also for the subsequent Montecito mudslides that occurred on the burn-scarred hillsides. More recently, in February 2024, Edison agreed to pay $80 million to settle claims by the U.S. Forest Service for damage to Los Padres National Forest.
The 2018 Woolsey Fire further demonstrated Edison’s fire liability exposure. This fire, which Edison’s equipment was found to have ignited, burned over 96,000 acres, destroyed 1,643 structures, and resulted in three fatalities. Edison later agreed to pay $360 million to settle claims from 23 public entities affected by this fire.
In December 2021, Edison reached a comprehensive $550 million settlement related to multiple fires. The settlement included $110 million in penalties to California’s general fund, $65 million for improved safety measures, and $375 million in fire costs that Edison was prohibited from passing to ratepayers.
Edison, along with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power face scrutiny for their roles in the recent Los Angeles wildfires, with ongoing investigations and claims by property owners across Southern California.
The January 2025 Los Angeles fires represent the next chapter in utility liability, with combined damages expected to exceed all previous wildfire settlements. While investigations continue, the evidence mounting against both Edison and LADWP suggests these cases may result in the largest utility settlements in California history.
Why Legal Action Matters
While many consider wildfires “acts of nature,” California’s public utility track record demonstrates how utility company negligence often causes these disasters. California law provides strong protections for property owners affected by utility-caused fires. Insurance policies typically cover only a portion of wildfire losses, leaving property owners unable to fully rebuild their homes and replace lost property. Even FEMA assistance typically provides insufficient funds for complete recovery. The California Department of Insurance provides helpful resources for wildfire survivors at https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/140-catastrophes/WildfireResources.cfm
Edison’s significant settlements, including $1.16 billion for the Thomas Fire alone, demonstrate how legal action not only helps property owners recover losses beyond insurance limits but also holds negligent utilities accountable for their actions.
Recoverable Damages Under California Law
California law recognizes the extensive impact of wildfires on people’s lives and provides comprehensive paths to recovery. Personal injury compensation includes current and future medical expenses, pain and suffering damages, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity from fire-related injuries.
Property damage recovery extends far beyond basic home reconstruction. Property owners can recover costs for lost personal belongings, vehicles, and irreplaceable items. The scope also includes damage to landscaping, including trees and erosion damage, as well as outdoor structures like swimming pools and retaining walls. These auxiliary property losses often exceed the cost of rebuilding the primary structure itself.
Additional compensation addresses broader wildfire impacts. This includes costs for evacuation and temporary housing, compensation for emotional distress and mental anguish, and any decrease in property values. Business owners may also recover losses from interrupted operations during and after the fire.
Pursuing a Wildfire Claim
Wildfire cases demand extensive legal knowledge and substantial resources to succeed. These cases often involve multiple expert witnesses, including meteorologists, wildfire investigators, and power line maintenance specialists. Property damage assessment requires construction specialists, arborists, and erosion experts to accurately calculate replacement and restoration costs.
Through strategic legal action, affected property owners can secure fair compensation while creating financial pressure for better utility maintenance practices, particularly during high-risk weather conditions like Santa Ana and Diablo winds.
California’s Government Claims Act imposes strict deadlines for claims against public entities. Palisades Fire victims face a potential July 7, 2025 deadline to file claims against the City of Los Angeles and LADWP. Our class action seeks to protect all affected property owners from missing this critical deadline. Unlike claims against private utilities like Edison, government entity claims require immediate action to preserve your rights.
Our attorneys have helped hundreds of Californians rebuild after devastating wildfires. Following the 2007 San Diego wildfires, we secured millions in compensation for homeowners who lost everything.
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