Eaton Fire Wildfire Lawyers

Our law firm has been approached with the following questions:

What caused the Eaton Fire?

The cause of the Eaton Fire remains under investigation. However, since California has a history of wildfires started by utility companies, there are concerns about whether the fire occurred as a result of the negligence of a utility company. Reportedly, there are high voltage power lines directly above the site where the fire ignited. If these power lines were damaged or defective and sparked, the combination of winds and dry vegetation could have quickly resulted in a wildfire.

Did a utility company start the Eaton Fire?

Reportedly, a utility company (Southern California Edison) has high voltage power lines directly above the ignition side of the Eaton wildfire. Because of this, the community is concerned about the utility company’s role in the fire – especially considering that just a few years ago, in 2018, the utility company was found responsible for causing the fire that destroyed Paradise, California and killed 85 people.

Do I need to evacuate due to the Eaton Fire?

You may need to evacuate. If you are in an area that is under an evacuation warning, it is important that you prepare. Gather all important documents and items (including medications). Pack other items, including essential items for your pets. Keep your pets close to you at all times (on a leash or in a kennel to ensure that you can easily grab them and go). As soon the evacuation order is issued, leave. Do not delay your evacuation or ignore the evacuation order. Ignoring evacuation orders or staying behind to try to safe your home not only puts you at risk but also puts firefighters and other first responders at risks; staying in evacuation zones also takes resources from the firefight, as individuals that stay will likely need to be rescued.

What can I do if my home is damaged by the Eaton Fire?

If your home and other property sustained any damage, including burn damage, structural damage, or smoke and ash damage, it is important that you seek the guidance of an Eaton fire lawyer as soon as possible. Based on your specific situation, you could have the right to file a lawsuit.

California is no stranger to wildfires. However, many people mistakenly believe that wildfires are random occurrences that are simply exasperated by high winds, but the truth is that the cause of wildfires are more complex than that. In general, these wildfires are caused by a combination of conditions that allow flames to spread and cause devastation.

These conditions generally include the following:

• Severe wind conditions (specifically the Santa Ana winds)
• Dry weather conditions (a lack of rain)
• Dry brush
• Defective utility equipment
• Arson

According to latest reports, over 4,000 structures have been destroyed because of the Eaton Fire. The city of Altadena has been almost entirely affected. Pasadena and the Angeles National Forest have also been affected. Photos and videos taken of the Eaton Fire show entire neighborhoods burned to the ground. Although the damage is clearly already catastrophic, the extent of the damage resulting from the fire will not be known until the fire is extinguished and the area is surveyed by officials.

Some examples of wildfire property damage include the following:

• Total loss of property (homes burned down to the ground)
• Structural damage to floors, walls, ceilings, etc.
• Smoke and ash damage
• Damage to vehicles, including utility vehicles, ATVs, UTVs, motorcycles, RVs, autos, etc.
• Loss of personal property and belongings, including photos, clothing, electronics, family heirlooms, and more

The truth is that even homes that are unaffected by flames can sustain significant damage simply due to the smoke and ash coming from these wildfires.

Without a doubt, those who have been affected by wildfires could have grounds to file property damage claims. In general, property damage claims after wildfires are to be filed with the homeowner’s insurance company. The damage should be covered if the homeowner has the appropriate coverage in his or her policy. However, every time insurance companies pay out on a claim, they lose money. Therefore, many of these insurance companies unfairly deny wildfire property damage claims. When this happens, affected property owners could have the right to file insurance bad faith claims. To summarize, insurance bad faith claims are based on the insurance company’s breach of contract, specifically for their failure to handle insurance claims fairly.

What if a Utility Company is Liable for Causing the Fire? – Based on the circumstances surrounding wildfires, utility companies could be responsible for damages and could be sued by affected individuals. As mentioned above, Southern California Edison reportedly has high voltage power lines directly above the site where the Eaton Fire started. If investigations conclude that the fire was caused by issues with power lines or other SoCal Edison equipment (that may have sparked, overheated, etc.), then the utility company could be liable and could be sued.

In addition to Southern California Edison, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is also under scrutiny. More specifically, in the other major fire in Los Angeles County, the Palisades Fire, firefighters were left without water to fight the flames. Fire hydrants had no water pressure and there was simply no water to tackle the fire. Since LADWP is responsible for ensuring that there is appropriate water pressure and water supply to these hydrants, the utility company could be found liable and could be sued.

Eaton Fire Class Action Lawsuits against Utility Companies – In the past, affected individuals have successfully filed class action lawsuits against negligent utility companies that have caused wildfires. If Southern California Edison or any other utility companies are found to be liable for the Eaton wildfire, victims could come together in class action lawsuits to recover a significant settlement. Here at our law firm, we believe in getting everyone affected by these wildfires the justice they are owed. We are not afraid to take on negligent utility companies to protect the rights of the community.

If you or a member of your family suffered burn injuries or smoke inhalation injuries related to the Eaton Fire, you may also have the right to sue. Likewise, if a member of your family died as a result of the Eaton wildfire, you could have grounds to file a wrongful death claim. To explore the legal options available to you, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Eaton wildfire lawsuit attorneys as soon as possible.

Yes, you could be eligible to recover compensation. Based on the type of claim that you are pursuing, you could be eligible to recover different categories of compensation. These could include compensation for medical costs, lost wages, property damage, relocation costs, pain and suffering, punitive damages, and legal costs, for example. No matter the type of claim that you are pursuing, you can trust that our team is more than ready to fight for your rights and help you secure the maximum payout available for your claim. Whether our experts need to negotiate a settlement or take your claim to trial to reach a verdict, you can trust that our team is ready to go above it all the secure the highest recovery possible.

The January 2025 wildfires are devastating Los Angeles County. Entire communities are gone, burned to the ground. Our law firm is deeply saddened by the destruction resulting from the Eaton Fire and all the other wildfires currently burning. We are committed to supported affected communities and helping victims take action against the negligent entities responsible for the wildfires – and against insurance companies that refuse to fairly pay out claim. Regardless of the claim that you are pursuing, it is important that you have appropriate representation.

If you are ready to explore the legal options available to you, contact our wildfire lawsuit lawyers as soon as possible. Our team has decades of experience and is ready to take care of your claim. To ensure that we remain accessible, our law firm offers free case evaluations. These include free consultations and free second opinions. During these free legal services, our team will be available to answer all your questions and address all of your concerns, ensuring that you have access to absolutely all the information that you need to fight for your rights after the Eaton Fire. To schedule a free case review, contact us today.

Zero-Fee Guarantee: you will never be required to pay any upfront legal costs for any of our legal services. In addition, our legal team works on a strict contingency basis, meaning that you will not be required to pay anything at all if your lawsuit is ultimately unsuccessful.

If you are ready to discuss your right to file a claim with our Eaton Fire lawyers, contact us today.

Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Eaton Fire Property Damage Lawsuit Attorneys
Palisades Fire Smoke and Ash Claims