Two women who recently lost their homes in the Woolsey Fire have filed a SoCal Edison lawsuit, alleging the power company lacked sufficient risk management procedures and that the electrical facilities were not properly managed during this dangerous time.

Plaintiffs Jennie P. and Carol B. filed their claim in the Los Angeles Superior Court just a month after the Woolsey Fire started. The two claim that the Southern California Edison power company chose a policy of fixing its equipment after it failed, instead of implementing policies for preventative care in their power plan locations.

It is important to note that the location the fire started was under SoCal Edison power lines in Simi Valley, then grew to incinerate almost 97,000 acres in Ventura and Los Angeles counties along with 1,600 homes and structures.

Three people ultimately died from the fire, with the SoCal Edison lawsuit alleging the poor management of the SoCal Edison power plant contributed to the disaster.

Overview of SoCal Edison Lawsuit

According to the SoCal Edison lawsuit, the company’s decision to fix the equipment rather than focusing on proper maintenance and infrastructure improvements had reportedly increased the risk of wildfires. The SoCal Edison lawsuit further states SoCal Edison opted for this business decision to save money on maintenance costs and infrastructure improvements.

The plaintiffs say SoCal Edison identified a power pole that needed to be replaced, then never replaced it. In December 2017, the SoCal Edison pole in question had reportedly failed during extreme fire conditions, causing an explosion and sparks that allegedly started the Thomas Fire.

Even though this power pole presented serious fire hazards, the plaintiffs claim, SoCal Edison did not replace it and the Woolsey Fire was started less than a year later.

“The Woolsey Fire’s destructive toll … surpassed that of the Thomas Fire by incinerating over 1,600 structures and damaging hundreds of others,” the SoCal Edison lawsuit states.

California property owners are continuing to suffer losses from the Woolsey Fire, which has left numerous residents without a home. Many of them have already filed a claim to their home insurance companies, but insurance may not be enough to cover the total loss of damages.

This is because home insurance typically covers structures like homes or buildings, but trees and landscapes are often not. Approximately five percent of insurance policies have sections covering tree damage, but this still may not be enough for people who lost older trees that added value to the property.

When filing compensation for older trees, claimants often receive a compensation amount far below value. California homeowners are owed proper compensation, and may have to file legal action against SoCal Edison for allegedly contributing to the disaster.

SoCal Edison has already been hit with several Thomas Fire lawsuits. California homeowners who have lost their homes to the Woolsey Fire, Camp Fire, Thomas Fire, or other wildfire may be able to file legal action to receive proper compensation for their lost property.