Should You Trust Edison’s Claims Program? Experience Tells Us No.
Southern California Edison (SCE) just announced plans to launch a claims process this fall for those affected by the devastating Eaton Fire, calling it an “expedited” way to receive compensation. But based on our decades of experience with utility companies, we urge caution.
The Dixie Fire: A Warning from Recent History
This isn’t the first time a California utility company has promised quick relief after a wildfire. In 2021, PG&E launched a similar program following the Dixie Fire. The “Direct Payments for Community Recovery Program” claimed victims would be paid within 75 days of submitting a claim.
The reality? The results were devastating for fire victims. Victims who accepted PG&E’s offer received far less compensation than those who pursued claims through legal representation and settlement. Even after attorney fees, represented plaintiffs came out significantly ahead.
It became clear that PG&E’s program wasn’t about helping Dixie Fire victims. The program was corporate damage control designed to limit the utility’s financial exposure while generating good publicity.
SCE’s Strategic Goals: Damage Control, Not Justice
SCE follows the same playbook. While publicly announcing a claims program, they are also simultaneously arguing in court to delay trials, effectively seeking to deny victims their fundamental right to their day in court.
This two-pronged strategy reveals SCE’s true priorities:
- Capture unrepresented victims. SCE knows those with attorneys won’t accept lowball offers, so they are targeting those without legal counsel.
- Rush victims into unfair settlements. Quick settlements discourage full investigation and minimize the true cost of damages, leaving victims significantly undercompensated.
- Spin favorable PR. SCE wants to look like they’re helping while minimizing what they actually pay.
Why a “One-Size-Fits-All” Approach Doesn’t Work
Every Eaton Fire victim has a unique story. The property damage, business interruption, displacement costs, and personal injuries you’ve suffered deserve individual assessment based on their specific merits and long-term impact. Every case deserves individual evaluation, not corporate “efficiency.” A one-size-fits-all claims process fails to account for the complex and deeply personal ways this fire has impacted those affected.
Don’t Fall For SCE’s Pressure Tactics
SCE’s program ends in 2026, an arbitrary deadline designed to pressure victims into rushed decisions and quick settlements. Combined with financial stress, this timeline creates a dangerous temptation to take less now instead of fighting for what you truly deserve. You only get one shot at recovery. Don’t let SCE pressure you into rushed decisions.
You Deserve Full Compensation, Not Corporate Convenience.
SCE’s program benefits SCE’s shareholders, not Eaton Fire victims. Don’t let SCE shortchange you when you need full compensation the most. Strikingly absent from Edison’s program is any mention of emotional distress damages, along with loss of use, two areas where similar programs have historically slashed case value. Your losses deserve individual attention and aggressive advocacy, not processing through a corporate efficiency program.
At Danko Meredith, we’ve successfully taken on SCE and other major utility companies for decades, securing over 1.5 billion dollars in settlements and verdicts for utility-caused fires and explosions.
Contact Danko Meredith for a free consultation. Let us help you get what you’re truly owed.