If you lost your home, your business, or months of your life to the Eaton Fire, you’re being asked to make a high stakes decision Southern California Edison (SCE) is rolling out a new “Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program” that promises speed and simplicity.
- An offer within 90 days
- A check about 30 days after signing
- A “direct claim premium,” including up to $200,000 for destroyed properties
For families juggling temporary housing, debris removal, insurance disputes, and cash flow challenges, that sounds like relief.
But speed without full value is a discount in disguise. Edison is asking fire survivors to accept roughly half of the true settlement value of their cases in exchange for quicker payment.
The smartest strategy isn’t choosing a path on day one, it’s building your case now so you can command a fair offer, whether through the program or at the courthouse steps.
It’s Not “Program or Lawsuit?” It’s About Protecting Your Leverage
At Danko Meredith, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all answers. We believe in case-by-case analysis and protecting your leverage until the numbers truly add up.
Here’s how we do it:
- Full Inventory of Losses
We document every category—structure, contents, code upgrades, landscaping, smoke and ash damage, business interruption, injury, and more. - Two-Path Modeling
We compare your likely net recovery and timeline under SCE’s program versus litigation, factoring in premiums, legal fees, and risks of delay. - Documentation First
We help you assemble the proof you need to maximize your claim—whether you settle or go to court. - Leverage Management
We keep your litigation options open until a fair offer is on paper. No pressure. No premature releases. - Straight Talk
If the program is right for you, we’ll say so—and help you get every dollar you deserve. If litigation is better, we’ll press forward and protect your day in court.
Lessons from Past Wildfire Claims
California survivors have seen it all:
- PG&E Fire Victim Trust: Multi-year, pro-rata payments with final top-offs still pending
- Utility Direct Pay Programs: Faster checks, but utility-controlled valuations and permanent waivers
- Litigation: Slower, but often higher total recovery if you have the patience and documentation
Bottom line: The right choice depends on your losses, insurance, documentation, and tolerance for delay. The only mistake is choosing blind.
Independent legal counsel makes the process safer and often more valuable. Sometimes the program is the right move. Sometimes it’s not. Either way, you deserve to decide with full information and a clear model of your likely net recovery.
Protect Your Leverage. Protect Your Future. Talk with an Eaton Fire attorney today.