Lawsuits are being brought against Southern California Edison (SCE) for its role in the 2025 California wildfires. Lawsuits allege that SCE was responsible for starting or perpetuating the wildfires, specifically the Eaton and Hurst fires.
SCE’s negligent actions may have caused additional harm to people, homes, animals, and businesses. The communities that were impacted by these wildfires deserve compensation and justice.
SoCal Edison Wildfire Litigation Updates – January 2025
February 11, 2025: SoCal Edison Submits Reports to California Public Utilities Commission About Its Possible Role in California Fires and Admits Possible Liability
Southern California Edison (SCE) continues to investigate the causes of several of the California wildfires. The company has submitted two reports to California Public Utilities Commission, in accordance with state requirements. The CEO of SCE’s parent company, Edison International, released a statement. In a public statement, Pedro J. Pizarro said SCE is investigating how its equipment might have ignited fires, especially the Hurst and Eaton fires. SCE says they are cooperating with authorities and that the investigation will likely take several months to complete. In the Hurst fire report, SCE admitted its equipment may have been responsible for the blaze. In the Eaton fire report, they said they are still examining equipment reports and cooperating with authorities.
February 4, 2025: SoCal Edison to Raise Customer Rates After Settlement for Thomas Fire Reached
A settlement agreement has been approved by California state regulators on January 30, 2025, regarding damages related to the 2017 Thomas Fire. Southern California Edison (SCE) was found to be liable for that fire. As part of the settlement agreement, SCE will be able to pass about $1.7 billion in claim costs on to its existing customers via rate hikes. Alice Reynolds, president of the California Public Utilities Commission, said this plan would allow the company to settle contested claims, as opposed to litigate those claims.
January 31, 2025: Independent Data Shows Two Southern California Edison Power Lines Faulted Before Eaton Fire
New data offers more evidence that high-voltage power lines owned by SoCal Edison may have ignited the Eaton Fire. Whisker Labs is an independent company that has sensors installed at homes all around the country as a means to monitor the power grid. Two faults were registered at 6:10 and 6:11 p.m. on January 7, shortly before the fire broke out. These disruptions were so powerful, that Whisker Labs sensors in Utah and Oregon registered the event. This data will be important evidence in lawsuits against SoCal Edison, who has not admitted fault for the Eaton Fire.
January 27, 2025: New Video Provides Evidence of SoCal Edison Power Lines Igniting Eaton Fires
On January 26, 2025, video footage was released that supports transmission lines owned by Southern California Edison (SCE) malfunctioning shortly before the Eaton Wildfire began. The video, which was security footage from an Arco gas station in Altadena, shows electrical arcs and sparks flying from electrical lines above an intersection. Those arcs occurred at 6:11 p.m., just minutes before the blaze broke out. The gas station is located near three high-voltage electrical towers in Eaton Canyon that many witnesses say sparked the fires. The New York Times shared the video with SCE, who is reviewing the videos and maintains there were no reports of faulty equipment until an hour after the Eaton blaze ignited.
January 21, 2025: SoCal Edison Defends Actions Leading Up to Eaton Fire
As lawsuits against Southern California Edison (SCE) continue to be filed, representatives from the company are trying to defend the decisions made by the utility company before and after the wildfires broke out across California. In an interview with KTLA 5, SCE representative David Eisenhower said SCE was monitoring wind speeds with its wind detectors and did not receive data that signaled a shutdown was necessary. However, it is possible those detectors were not working properly. SCE is facing allegations it started and perpetuated the Eaton Fire (and possibly others) by not properly maintaining power equipment and not de-energizing electrical lines in time to stop the blaze.
January 17, 2025: SoCal Edison Faces Another Lawsuit Over Eaton Fire
A lawsuit has been failed against Southern California Edison Company (SCE) claiming the company engaged in negligent actions that sparked and fueled the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County. The lawsuit, filed by Jason Quintero and Fredda Murillo-Quintero, alleges SCE is responsible for starting the fire that destroyed their Altadena home and many others. The complaint alleges SCE was negligent on many levels during a red-flag fire period, including not powering down its wires in time, not properly maintaining brush, and other negligent actions. The lawsuit was filed in California Superior Courts in the County of Los Angeles and seeks damages in excess of $10,000.
January 15, 2025: SoCal Edison Scrutinized for Its Role in Eaton and Hurst Fires
Multiple lawsuits filed against Southern California Edison allege the company may not have done enough to protect Southern California residents from the destructive wildfires. These lawsuits allege the company did not cut power to utility poles in enough time to prevent fires from starting or spreading. Many area residents have videos and pictures that support these allegations.
January 14, 2025: Altadena Resident Whose Home Burned to Ground Files Lawsuit Against Southern California Edison
A lawsuit has been filed against SCE by an Altadena woman named Evangeline Iglesias, whose home was destroyed by the Eaton Fire. Her attorney said the lawsuit had to be filed quickly to preserve potential evidence. The complaint alleges that SoCal Edison violated utility codes and was negligent in its actions during the fires. The lawsuit also alleges SCE did not properly handle utility pole shutdowns during the fires and periods of high winds.
January 13, 2025: Lawsuit Filed Against Southern California Edison by Man Who Lost His Home in the California Wildfire
A man whose home was destroyed by the Eaton Fire filed a lawsuit against the Southern California Edison Company. Jeremy Gursey filed his lawsuit on January 13, 2025, in California Superior Court in Los Angeles County. In his lawsuit, Gursey presents photographs of transmission lines owned by SoCal Edison igniting during the Eaton Wildfire. The lawsuit claims power was not cut off in time and that the power lines owned by the utility company likely started or perpetuated the wildfires. Gursey seeks multiple damages in his lawsuit. More plaintiffs and defendants may be added to this complaint, as new information emerges.
January 9, 2025: Kenneth Wildfire Increases the Number of California Wildfires
Another California wildfire began on January 9, 2025. The Kenneth Fire is located on the edge of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Residents who are in danger are being issued evacuation warnings and orders.
January 7, 2025: Hurst Wildfire Begins in Sylmar, California
The Hurst Fire broke out on the evening of January 7, 2025 near Sylmar, California. The fire has approached Diamond Road, which abuts residential housing. The cause of the fire is not yet known and many people are facing evacuations.
January 7, 2025: Eaton Fire Begins in Altadena-Pasadena Area
Another fire began in Los Angeles County in the early evening of January 7, 2025. The Eaton Fire is located near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive. The cause of the fire has not been identified and many residents are under evacuation orders and warnings.
January 7, 2025: Palisades Wildfire Begins in Los Angeles County
The Palisades Fire began late morning on January 7, 2025. The fire is endangering many homes and businesses. The cause is unknown and many residents are being asked to evacuate.
About the SoCal Edison Wildfire Lawsuit:
About the Southern California Edison Fire Lawsuits
Recent Wildfire Incidents Linked to SoCal Edison
Historical Precedents: SoCal Edison and Wildfire Lawsuits
How Southern California Edison Caused the Fires
SoCal Edison’s Response and Liability in the Lawsuit
Who Qualifies to File a Lawsuit Against SoCal Edison?
How Can I File a Lawsuit Against SoCal Edison?
About the Southern California Edison Fire Lawsuits
Lawsuits are being filed against Southern California Edison for its role in the recent California wildfires. The utility company, which is also known as SCE and SoCalEd, is accused of negligent actions that caused and spread wildfires around Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.
Lawsuits have been filed against SCE for its role in the Eaton Fire, which has burned more than 14,000 acres in Los Angeles County, killed 17 people, and destroyed more than 7,000 structures. Lawsuits allege that SCE did not cut power to its transmission lines quickly enough, despite high winds and encroaching flames, which led to sparks that ignited a blaze. Because SCE did not de-energize power lines during critical fire weather conditions, the company may be responsible for many of the damages resulting from the California wildfires.
Other equipment failures and the failure to turn off power to certain areas of the grid may have resulted in unnecessary damage across the region. Officials are looking into the causes of all of the wildfires. The Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires have been some of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history.
Recent Wildfire Incidents Linked to SoCal Edison
The Hurst Fire and Eaton Fire may have been caused by fallen and faulty power equipment owned by SCE. The utility company serves 5 million people located in a 50,000-square-mile service area, in which the California wildfires are occurring. As their communities are destroyed, homeowners, renters, and business owners in Altadena and Sylmar are filing lawsuits against SCE.
The causes of the fires are still being investigated, but some evidence suggests SCE played a role in the fires. When high-speed Santa Ana winds downed power lines owned by SoCal Edison, those lines may have sparked. When those sparks combined with dry material resulting from drought conditions, fires could have easily started and burned out of control.
The utility has already filed two electric safety incident reports (ESIRs) with the California Public Utilities Commission—one related to the Hurst Fire and one related to the Eaton Fire. These ESIRs are required to be filed within 2 to 4 hours of a triggering event. These reports may signal events that led to these fires.
Damages Caused in Eaton Fire
The Eaton Fire started on January 7, 2025, 28 miles inland of the Pacific Ocean, near the San Gabriel Mountains. The Eaton Fire has destroyed more than 1,400 residential homes, businesses, schools, and other structures in and near Altadena and Pasadena. More than 200 structures have been damaged by the fire. The fire has already been responsible for 17 deaths.
Damages Caused in Hurst Fire
The Hurst Fire started on January 7, 2025. Since then, it has burned approximately 800 acres of land in and around Sylmar, California. No deaths have been reported related to this fire and early reports say damages to homes or businesses have been minimal. However, the party responsible for starting this fire could have to pay for damages to public, private, or state lands.
Historical Precedents: SoCal Edison and Wildfire Lawsuits
If SoCal Edison is found liable for starting the fires, or negligence that increased the damage caused by the fires, it could be forced to compensate wildfire victims. This will not be the first time SCE has paid claims related to wildfires.
In 2017, the Thomas Fire burned 281,893 acres (439 square miles) in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties in California. In 2019, an investigation conducted by the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) determined the fire was started when high winds caused power lines to come into contact with each other, causing a spark and igniting the fire. These power lines were owned by SCE. As a result of this finding, SCE agreed to pay $80 million in settlements. Settlement funds went toward costs associated with fighting the fire and restoration in the Los Padres National Forest.
SCE also paid a $210 million settlement after acknowledging its power equipment likely caused the 2018 Woolsey Fire. That fire killed 3 people and destroyed 96,000 acres. It also destroyed 1,500 buildings and damaged another 341 buildings.
How Southern California Edison Caused the Fires
If SoCal Edison is found to be negligent in maintaining or powering down its equipment, it could be held liable for starting the recent California wildfires. There is already evidence that an SCE power line malfunction may have ignited the Eaton Fire and Hurst Fire.
SCE could have caused the fires by not doing the following things during critical fire conditions:
- Not properly maintaining vegetation around and near power lines, thus creating a fuel bed
- Not de-energizing power lines during periods of strong winds, leading to live lines connecting or falling down
- Not properly maintaining electrical infrastructure
In various lawsuits already filed against SCE, plaintiffs have provided eye-witness reports, videos, and photography showing lines owned by SCE igniting. For example, in a complaint filed against SoCal Edison, evidence is presented from Altadena residents Jennifer and Marcus Errico. Before evacuating, they say they observed the ignition of the Eaton Fire underneath power lines and provided photographs of this ignition. These lines, presumably owned by SCE, were on an electrical tower across the canyon from their home on Canyon View Drive in Pasadena, California.
How a ‘Line Slap’ May Have Caused the Eaton and Hurst Wildfires
Line slaps, also known as conductor slaps, are common causes of wildfires, especially in areas prone to drought and low humidity. When live power lines come into contact with each other (i.e., slap together), that creates an electrical arc. That electrical arc can send burning, molten material flying to the ground. If that molten material meets something flammable, a fire can ignite.
High winds and downed power lines can cause conductor slaps. If a line slap caused the Hurst, Palisades, or Eaton fires, utility companies could be held responsible. SCE could be held responsible for not properly maintaining vegetation around the lines or for not cutting power to the lines quickly enough. Line slaps have caused multiple wildfires in California, including the Butte Fire, Rough and Ready Fire, Thomas Fire, and the Guejito, Witch, and Rice fires.
Claims of Negligence Made Against Southern California Edison Company
Many accusations have been made against SoCal Edison related to the California Wildfires. In a lawsuit filed related to losses from the Eaton Fire, attorneys make several claims about SCE’s negligence. SCE could be held liable for the following failures, which could have resulted in wildfires:
- Failing to de-energize transmission lines, circuits, and distribution lines despite red flag warnings from the National Weather Service
- Failing to properly set or change the operation mode of circuits, including relay settings, fast trip schemes, and recloser settings
- Failing to operate or maintain overhead electrical infrastructure and circuit equipment (e.g., clearances, loading, shielding, tensioning, and grounding)
- Failing to underground the specific distribution and/or transmission circuits
- Failing to replace its overhead conductors with proper upgrades
- Failing to identify, inspect, repair, and/or replace electrical equipment associated with towers, poles, and lines
- Failing to conduct proper inspections of infrastructure
- Failing to create equipment able to high winds
- Failing to clear vegetation as required by Public Resource Code § 4292
- Failing to clear vegetation as required by its own transmission inspection and maintenance program
- Failure to perform inspections of all overhead electric facilities as required by CPUC General Order 165
- Failing to properly train and supervise people responsible for maintenance and inspection
- Allowing fires to ignite or spread in violation of California Health & Safety Code § 13007
SoCal Edison’s Response and Liability in the Lawsuit
To date, SoCal Edison has denied responsibility for any of the recent California wildfires. However, SCE filed Electric Safety Incident Reports (ESIRs) for the Hurst and Eaton fires. Representatives maintain they only filed these reports due to extensive media coverage and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) requirements.
In a press release about the Eaton Fire, they maintained their equipment was operational and that, “no interruptions or operational/electrical anomalies in the 12 hours prior to the fire’s reported start time until more than one hour after the reported start time of the fire.”
In the same press release, the company spoke to the Hurst Fire. The company admitted to downed equipment, saying, “a downed powerline was discovered at a tower associated with the Eagle Rock – Sylmar 220 kV circuit.” However, SoCal Edison says it has not determined that line caused the fire or if it was destroyed by an associated fire.
Additionally, SCE has received notices from many insurance companies requiring SCE to preserve evidence related to the fires. It is likely many lawsuits related to the Los Angeles wildfires will be filed against SCE.
Who Qualifies to File a Lawsuit Against SoCal Edison?
Anyone who experienced personal injuries or property damage due to the negligence of SoCal Edison may be able to file a lawsuit. Eligibility will be determined as more information about the wildfires emerges. Parties eligible to file a lawsuit against SCE include:
- Property owners
- Renters
- Evacuees
- Business owners
- Government entities
- Private entities
Each of these parties must prove their losses due to the California wildfires and SCE’s negligence.
What Losses Can I Claim in a Lawsuit Against SoCal Edison?
Individuals and business owners can seek compensation from SoCal Edison for numerous losses related to the California wildfires. People can pursue losses related to:
- Personal injury or wrongful death
- Emotional distress
- Property loss (e.g., homes, businesses, structures)
- Lost wages
- Lost assets (e.g., personal belongings, business assets, fleets, products, materials)
- Relocation and displacement costs
This is not a complete list of possible losses. Working with an experienced wildfire attorney will help you calculate your full losses due to these fires and determine which losses can be included in a lawsuit.
How Can I File a Lawsuit Against SoCal Edison?
There are several steps to filing a lawsuit against SoCalEdison. In order to file a lawsuit against SCE, it is advised that private individuals and business owners hire an attorney. It is difficult to establish liability and navigate complex lawsuits and settlements. Our team of experienced legal professionals is ready to fight SCE and pursue fair compensation for our clients.
To file a lawsuit against SCE, victims of the California wildfires should take the following steps:
- Contact a law firm with experience litigating companies responsible for environmental disasters, like wildfires
- Work with a law firm to establish your eligibility
- Retain the services of your preferred attorney
- Follow the instructions from your attorney about gathering and submitting documentation
- With the help of your attorney, file your case in the appropriate court
Once your lawsuit is filed, you may be expected to submit further documentation or testimony about your losses related to the wildfires. Your attorney will guide you through each step of the process and prepare your case for trial. You may be offered a settlement or a jury award if your case is successful. Due to the nature of this disaster, it may take several months to years for your case to be fully resolved.
We understand this is frustrating, but our team of legal partners stands by our clients every step of the way. We ensure information is filed correctly and on time. We pledge to work hard so you can rebuild your life.
Contact a California Wildfire Injury Lawyer Immediately
If you experienced multiple losses or the loss of a loved one during the California wildfires, our legal partners can help you pursue justice and compensation. We are ready to help surviving family members, individuals, and business owners recover funds for their many losses. We will fight to hold SoCal Edison liable for any actions that resulted in your losses.
Contact us at (585) 496-2648 to learn how our legal team can help you through this difficult time.