U.S. Government Sues Southern California Edison for Eaton Fire 

This week, federal prosecutors filed two lawsuits against SCE alleging “a troubling pattern of negligence” that led to the deadly wildfires in Altadena and the Angeles National Forest. The lawsuits seek a total of $77 million in damages for the Eaton Fire and 2022 Fairview Fire, citing SCE’s failure to maintain its equipment as the cause of both fires. Although the results of the official investigation into the Eaton Fire have not been announced, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated “there’s no reason to wait” for these results, given that there is clear evidence that SCE is at fault. 

How will the federal lawsuits affect your potential case?  

These recently filed federal lawsuits are separate from individual claims that many Eaton Fire survivors are pursuing against SCE. However, the case brought by the government further confirms that the Eaton Fire was the result of SCE’s negligence and that Edison “must change the way it does business.” 

Similar to other public entities that have filed cases against SCE, these federal lawsuits seek damages to cover the destruction of infrastructure and federal land, as well as the costs of fire suppression and rehabilitation of burned areas.