What Caused the Eaton and Palisades Fires?
Southern California Edison Targeted by Lawsuits
LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. (Jan. 13, 2025) — Lawsuits are being filed against Southern California Edison accusing the utility company of being responsible for starting the Eaton fire.
The fire is just one of several massive wildfires raging across Southern California that have left 24 people dead and destroyed at least 12,300 homes and buildings.
Firefighters are still working to contain the infernos including the Palisades fire, the Hurst fire, and several others.
Homeowners who survived are displaced, businesses are destroyed, and workers have lost their jobs. Some people suffered physical injuries and just about everyone has been traumatized by the firestorm, and still after nearly one week the fires are still burning throughout Los Angeles county.
Investigators are working to find out what caused these fires and attorneys are ready to file claims against those who contributed or started the fires.
There’s no doubt that the relentless fires were fueled by a combination of high winds and dry conditions, but that may be only part of the story, said Attorney James Johnson, whose Newport Beach law firm is offering to help victims of the California wildfires.
“There are potentially numerous defendants who may share blame for these fires including public officials, government entities, utilities,” Johnson said.
Los Angeles County was unprepared for these destructive fires. Officials are being blamed after fire hydrants went dry or had low pressure.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has requested an investigation into why the fire hydrants went dry.
The public also wants to know why a water reservoir serving Pacific Palisades has been empty for a year and there is a recall circulation for Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass who was out of the country.
Help for Victims of California Wildfires: 1-855-703-4186
EATON FIRE IN ALTADENA AREA
One theory for the origin of the Eaton fire is that it may have started underneath a transmission tower owned by Southern California Edison.
There are photos and video footage of the fire sparking there before it rushed down the canyon towards homes below. Investigators have cordoned off the transmission tower and are collecting evidence. The investigation focuses on whether the utility company’s power lines caused the fire. The National Weather Service issued its highest level warnings for potential fires, yet Edison allegedly failed to de-energize their circuits and overhead wires that traverse Eaton Canyon.
So far, this fire has destroyed at least 7,000 structures and killed 17 people, according to the Los Angeles Times.
However, this would not be the first time that power lines sparked a massive wildfire. Edison’s powerlines reportedly came in contact with one another during a high wind event in 2017 and allegedly set off the Thomas Fire in the Los Padres National Forest. Edison did not admit wrongdoing but agreed to an $80 million settlement with the U.S. Dept. of Forestry.
Meanwhile, in Altadena, homeowners want answers and if Edison is responsible they should be compensated for all their losses, Attorney James Johnson said.
Right now, it’s too early to draw any conclusions, but it’s not too soon to reach out to an attorney who handles these types of cases.
PACIFIC PALISADES FIRE
Those who are victims of the fires in the Pacific Palisades may also have grounds to file a claim against multiple public entities. There were roughly 5,000 homes and businesses destroyed in this area and at least eight people are dead.
It’s too early to know the cause or point of ignition for this fire, but investigators from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are taking the lead. Some early leads point to the “old burn scar” from the New Year’s Eve blaze, police said. The embers may have reignited and started the fire. Also, investigators have not ruled out arson as a possible cause.
Another theory is a downed utility line could have sparked the Palisades fire. There are power lines that run north and south along much of the Temescal Ridge Trail.
Some of these poles date back to the 1930s and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power initiated a project in 2019 to replace some with metal poles. However, the power company faced opposition from environmental groups and never replaced the poles.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Police Department has established a crime scene atop the rocky hills above Pacific Palisades. Yellow crime scene tape surrounds a blackened grove of madrone and there is ash and debris that includes pieces of electrical equipment, the New York Times reports.
FINANCIAL LOSSES CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES
The financial losses for these fires is staggering. Analyst J.P. Morgan estimates the economic losses from the fires could exceed $50 billion. Just the insurance losses alone are upwards of $20 billion and the fires are still raging.
Meanwhile, AccuWeather estimates the combined damages and economic losses might reach between $135 billion and $150 billion.
Certainly, those who had homeowner’s insurance may recoup some of their losses, but that hardly makes up for the trauma of losing a family member or the trauma experienced by those who lost everything.
“Those entities who share blame for this catastrophic event must also be held responsible for their role,” said Johnson. “Whether it was the ignition of the fire, failure to control it, or other actions that contributed to its devastating destruction.”
If you have personal injury, wrongful death, and or financial losses from the wildfires, contact Johnson Attorneys Group at 1-855-703-4186 to find out if you have a claim.
Important Resources for California Wildfire Victims
Employment Development Department (EDD) Benefits
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
CA Dept. of Insurance Residential Insurance Contact List
Help for Victims of California Wildfires: 1-855-703-4186
Johnson Attorneys Group is a California law firm serving clients who are injured, lost a loved one, or have property damage or losses from a wildfire. If you suffered losses, you should retain legal representation to protect your rights. Attorney James Johnson will answer your legal questions, please call 1-(855) 703-4186 as soon as possible. Our personal injury law firm is a proud, longtime supporter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
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