Eaton Fire victims file multiple lawsuits against SoCal Edison

Eaton Fire lawsuits overview:

• Who: Individuals filed three separate lawsuits against Southern California Edison Co. and Edison International.
• Why: The plaintiffs allege the companies caused the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California.
• Where: The Eaton Fire lawsuits were filed in California state court.

Individuals filed three lawsuits against Southern California Edison Co. and Edison International over claims they caused the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, that burned thousands of acres, destroyed thousands of homes and killed a number of people. 

The lawsuits claim the companies caused the Eaton Fire by failing to de-energize exposed power lines used to pass electricity through dry, vegetated areas, such as the general location of the fire’s ignition on Jan. 7. 

“Despite the presence of extremely dangerous fire weather conditions sufficient to justify de-energization of some of its distribution lines in the same area, (Edison) made the deliberate choice to not change the mode of operation and/or de-energize its other lines traversing Eaton Canyon,” one SoCal Edison lawsuit says. 

SoCal Edison’s negligence led to fire, lawsuits say

The lawsuits argue SoCal Edison was negligent in the operation and maintenance of power equipment in the Eaton Canyon. 

The plaintiffs claim the companies should have foreseen a fire risk given the “nature and condition of Edison’s electrical infrastructure, low humidity, strong winds and dry vegetation” in the area, according to one of the SoCal Edison lawsuits. 

“Despite knowing of an extreme fire risk, defendants deliberately prioritized profits over safety,” one of the SoCal Edison lawsuits says. 

The plaintiffs claim the Eaton Fire caused them to suffer emotional, physical and financial harm and each seek punitive damages and a variety of other damages for property repair costs, loss of wages or earning capacity and displacement expenses. 

Last year, the state of Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric, Charter Communications and others agreed to pay a combined $4 billion to resolve around 450 lawsuits filed following a deadly Maui wildfire in August 2023. 

Were you affected by the Southern California wildfires? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiffs are represented by Gerald B. Singleton, Paul L. Starita and Jon Cadieux of Singleton Schreiber LLP; Todd Becker of Becker Law Group; Patrick McNicholas and Matthew S. McNicholas of McNicholas & McNicholas LLP; Richard K. Bridgford, Michael H. Artinian, Allan L. Bridgford, Brian E. Sutter and Katarina M. Shonafelt of Bridgford Gleason; and Artinian and Ali Moghaddas, Todd Logan, Lauren Blazing, Max Hantel and Brandt Silver-Korn of Edelson PC. 

The Eaton Fire lawsuits are Micheal Richard Kreiner et al. v. Southern California Edison Co., Case No 258TCV00766, Evangeline Iglesias v. Southern California Edison Co., et al., Case No. 25NNCV00200 and Jeremy Gursey v. Southern California Edison Co., et al., Case No. 25STCV00731, all in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. 

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• Hyundai, Kia class action claims vehicles have defective fuel systems
• Papa John’s class action claims website is not accessible to the blind
• Best Buy class action alleges false discount advertising scheme
• Google privacy class action to proceed to trial