Monday, May 5, 2025

Judge Convenes Case Management Conference in Deadly Eaton Fire Lawsuits Against Edison

Plaintiffs allege utility’s equipment ignited blaze that killed 17, destroyed 9,400 structures

A case management conference is scheduled Tuesday for numerous lawsuits accusing Southern California Edison of responsibility for the devastating January 7, 2025, Eaton Fire that killed 18 people and destroyed approximately 9,400 structures.

The hearing, set for 10 a.m. in Department 17 of the Spring Street Courthouse, will address multiple legal actions filed initially by Jeremy Gursey and joined by hundreds of other plaintiffs who lost their homes in the Altadena blaze.

Plaintiffs contend the wildfire ignited beneath an Southern California Edison transmission tower in Eaton Canyon and rapidly spread through neighboring communities amid wind gusts reaching up to 100 mph.

More than 40 lawsuits representing over 600 residents, along with government entities including Los Angeles County, the cities of Pasadena and Sierra Madre, and the Pasadena Unified School District, have been filed against the utility.

The lawsuits allege Southern California Edison failed to de-energize its electrical equipment despite repeated National Weather Service warnings about extreme fire danger and high winds. Plaintiffs claim the utility prioritized profits over safety and neglected proper infrastructure maintenance.

Besides homes, the fire devastated public infrastructure, including schools and parks throughout the affected communities.

A court order requires Southern California Edison to preserve all equipment and data related to the suspected origin of the fire, following concerns about potential evidence tampering.

“In my decades of experience handling wildfire litigation, the Eaton Fire is among the most devastating and heart-wrenching cases I’ve seen,” said Patrick McNicholas, who represents several plaintiffs.

Attorney Doug Boxer of LA Fire Justice stated bluntly: “Southern California Edison started the Eaton Fire, and we’re here to hold them accountable.”

Plaintiffs’ attorneys have submitted photos, videos and satellite imagery allegedly showing the fire originated beneath Southern California Edison’s power lines, with multiple eyewitnesses reporting flames at the base of transmission structures.

Southern California Edison has denied responsibility while acknowledging investigations are ongoing.

“While we do not yet know what caused the Eaton wildfire, Southern California Edison is exploring every possibility in its investigation, including the possibility that Southern California Edison’s equipment was involved,” said Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, Southern California Edison’s parent company.

“Our hearts remain with our community during the devastating fires in Southern California, and we remain committed to supporting them through this difficult time,” a Southern California Edison spokesperson told ABC7.

The utility filed a report with the California Public Utilities Commission reportedly noting a fault occurred on its transmission line the evening the fire started, but maintained that current remained within operational limits and that no typical signs of equipment failure—such as broken conductors or arc marks—were initially found at the origin site.

Southern California Edison expects investigations to continue for 12 to 18 months and has begun discussions about using California’s wildfire insurance fund to cover potential legal claims and damages. The company maintains a $1 billion self-insurance reserve and plans to access the state’s $14.7 billion wildfire fund if necessary.

By relying on its self-insurance and the wildfire fund, Southern California Edison aims to avoid incurring significant new debt to settle legal claims, which distinguishes the current situation from previous wildfires that forced utilities into financial distress or bankruptcy.

The approach is part of a larger trend among California utilities, as the state’s wildfire fund is under strain and may be insufficient for future catastrophic events. This has prompted calls for reform and expansion of the fund.

The official cause of the Eaton Fire remains under investigation by Los Angeles County Fire and Cal Fire.