The Eaton Fire in the neighborhood of Altadena, Los Angeles, caused widespread destruction that lawsuits are blaming on power lines owned by Southern California Edison.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Eaton Fire cases in California. If you were harmed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Los Angeles, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our California Fire Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Eaton Fire Lawsuits: Get The Compensation You Deserve
Eaton Fire Lawsuits have been filed by homeowners, renters, and other people in Altadena who are seeking justice for the loss of their loved ones, homes, livelihoods, and property in the devastating fires.
If you were harmed by the Eaton fire in Altadena / Pasadena, or suffered expenses and lost income due to evacuation orders, you could be eligible to join a class action or file an individual lawsuit.
Lawsuits have already been filed by people who are seeking financial compensation for physical injuries, lost income, relocation, property damage, loss of business, evacuation costs, and other expenses.
Eaton Fire: Key Statistics
Here are some Key Statistics for the Eaton Fire:
- Date Started: 01/07/2025 at 6:18 PM
- Acres Burned: 14,021 acres burned (95% contained as of January 23, 2025)
- Deaths: 17 deaths confirmed
- Location: Altadena / Pasadena, near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive
- Damage Assessment: 9,400+ structures destroyed, including thousands of homes and businesses
- Cause: Under investigation
Eaton Fire in Altadena, Los Angeles California
The Los Angeles County community of Altadena (located about 14 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles) was decimated by the Eaton Fire, which along with the Palisades Fire, have become two of the most destructive fires in the history of California. These severe fire in Los Angeles have caused dozens of deaths, and burned around 14,000 homes, businesses, and other structures.
Was The Eaton Fire Caused by Power Lines?
The cause of the Eaton fire in the Altadena neighborhood of Los Angeles is still under investigation, but the fire erupted below a high-voltage transmission tower owned by the utility Southern California Edison in Eaton Canyon, where towers and power lines cross a very steep hillside above a residential neighborhood. The rugged terrain was lush with vegetation called chaparral, which is an extremely fire-prone habitat.
Power Lines Were Not Turned Off in “Red Flag” Conditions
The National Weather Service had declared a “Red Flag” warning— which is the highest-level warning for fire hazards — due to forecasts of extremely fierce Santa Ana winds and dry conditions. Despite the risk, lawsuits claim that SoCal Edison failed to de-energize the lines.
What Are Investigators Looking For?
Investigators are combing the terrain to look for evidence that it was SoCal Edison’s equipment that sparked the Eaton fire. One clue could be molten balls of metal, which can fall from high-voltage power lines when whipping winds cause the lines to slap together. This can potentially spark dry grasses and other fire-prone vegetation below.
What Happened?
Winds were hitting 70+ mph when the fire broke out in the evening of January 7. Witnesses took photos and videos of the flames burning at the base of an electrical transmission tower for high-voltage power lines. High winds sent the fire racing down a hillside toward a residential neighborhood in Altadena. The people below had only minutes to run for their lives.
Eaton Fire Lawsuits Say Utility Did Not Turn Off Power
A group of residents in Altadena have filed a lawsuit against Southern California Edison, a power utility that supplies electricity to Los Angeles. The lawsuit blames SoCal Edison for failing to turn off power lines, which plaintiffs claim may have sparked a fire in Eaton Canyon that spread to Altadena. Investigators are still trying to confirm what sparked the fire.
$21 Billion in California Wildfire Fund
If the Eaton fire was caused by Southern California Edison, victims in Altadena may seek up to $21 billion from the California Wildfire Fund.
The California Wildfire Fund was established in 2019 to pay people for insured and uninsured losses in fires caused by utility companies. The fund is designed to help prevent utilities like Southern California Edison from going bankrupt as a result of paying lawsuit settlements.
Lawsuits Against Insurance Companies for Denying Payouts
Early estimates for damages in the Los Angeles wildfires put it at $20 billion — or even more.
After any major natural disaster, insurance companies might try to delay, deny, and defend against paying money to people. If you are in a dispute with your insurance company after suffering losses due to the Los Angeles fires, our lawyers may be able to help you get paid.
What If My Insurance Company Won’t Pay?
Insurance companies must pay for losses that are covered by their policies, although many policies in California limit payouts for damages due to wildfires. Your insurance settlement might be significantly lower than the estimated replacement cost, depending on your coverage. In any case, if you believe you were unfairly denied an insurance payment that you rightfully deserve, talk to a lawyer now.
How Can Lawsuits Help?
Eaton fire lawsuits and class actions could help you recover financial compensation for:
- Physical injuries and wrongful death
- Property damage
- Loss of business or merchandise
- Lost income due to evacuations
- Housing or relocation assistance
- Other economic and non-economic losses
- And more
Do I Have an Eaton Fire Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Eaton Fire cases in California. If you were harmed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Los Angeles, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our California Fire Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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