The Eaton Fire

For the last year, Danko Meredith’s attorneys have been on the ground in the Los Angeles area, offering support and guidance to wildfire survivors from Altadena and nearby communities. We understand the immense challenges ahead and are here to provide clear answers and litigation updates.

In December 2025, Pedro Pizarro, CEO of Edison International, publicly stated that Southern California Edison’s (SCE) equipment was “likely the cause” of the Eaton Fire. Furthermore, the U.S. government has filed two federal lawsuits against SoCal Edison, highlighting a troubling pattern of negligence that caused serious destruction to communities around Eaton Canyon.

Critical Precedent Set: As of this writing, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Laura Seigle has set the first Eaton Fire bellwether trial for January 25, 2027. This is a vital test case that will establish critical precedents and shape how subsequent Eaton Fire claims are valued.

In addition to direct fire damage, affected business owners and residents can also file litigation for smoke inhalation and property remediation related to the Eaton Fire. Contact our law firm today for a free consultation.

Detailed Breakdown of the Eaton Fire Case

Overview of the Eaton Fire Litigation

Case Breakdown & Details

• What Caused the Eaton Fire? Multiple residents and eyewitnesses reported seeing the fire start directly below an SCE transmission tower in the hills, noting a sudden flash of light followed immediately by flames at the base of the tower. While investigations continue, reports indicate that the electrical tower likely responsible was disconnected from the power grid back in 1971. Powerful Santa Ana winds pushed live lines from nearby towers close enough to these dead lines to re-energize them—a phenomenon SoCal Edison officials refer to as a “zombie power line.”
• The Issue of Idle Equipment: A critical question remains: why was decades-old, idle equipment still left standing near live equipment, and why were nearby lines kept energized at all during red flag wind conditions? SCE claims it kept the idle Eaton Canyon tower in place just in case it was needed in the future. Unfortunately, California state law allows utility companies to decide whether they should take down these unused power lines rather than leaving the choice to regulators or policymakers.
• Added Dangers from the Santa Ana Winds: SoCal Edison was fully aware of the red flag conditions on January 7, 2025. Under their Public Safety Power Shutoff policy, they did shut off power to their distribution system that brings electricity to homes and businesses. However, they left their high-voltage transmission lines completely energized. Historically, leaving high-voltage transmission lines energized during severe winds has led to catastrophic outcomes, such as the deadly 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California.

Why the Choice of Attorney Matters

Warning on Utility Claims Programs: SCE has launched an internal claims process for those affected by the Eaton Fire, calling it an expedited way to receive compensation. We feel that SCE’s claims program should not be trusted. You deserve full compensation for your losses, and you should not be lumped into a one-size-fits-all approach designed for utility damage control.

At Danko Meredith, we reject class-action models for wildfire disasters in favor of individual wildfire cases:

• Individualized Attention vs. Class Actions: Every wildfire experience is different. From structural property damage to the unique sentimental value of lost items, emotional distress, and wage loss, each aspect of your case deserves individual attention. Class actions prioritize speed and efficiency, often sacrificing personal care and leading to lower individual recoveries.
• A True Client-Centered Approach: Recovery is personal, and we move entirely at your pace. Whether you are ready to outline your experience immediately or need time to secure temporary housing and inventory your past losses, we adapt to you.
• Real Attorneys, No Call Centers: When you contact Danko Meredith, you will never be routed to an outsourced call center reading from a stock script. A trained member of our internal team will collect your details so one of our California-based attorneys can directly follow up with you. All of our work is handled strictly in-house.
• Fighters In and Out of the Courtroom: We prepare every single case as if it is going to trial. Our firm is one of the few that has actually taken utility companies like SCE to trial and won, recovering more than $1.5 billion for wildfire victims over our history.

Why You Should Act Now and Hire Our Eaton Fire Attorneys

Taking prompt legal action can significantly impact your recovery process before evidence disappears or critical court deadlines pass:

• Immediate Notice to Utilities: Early lawsuits ensure companies like Southern California Edison are put on notice right away, triggering an immediate evidence preservation hold and forcing them to take your claim seriously.
• Critical Evidence Inspections: Once your case is filed, your attorney can directly participate in critical equipment inspections to preserve valuable data and document utility wrongdoing.
• Priority in Court Proceedings: Recent litigation history shows that courts may fast-track the earliest cases filed, allowing early claimants to take advantage of priority scheduling and potentially secure quicker resolution.
• An Advocate by Your Side: Beyond the courtroom, we assist our clients with FEMA applications, private insurance claims coordination, securing rental deposit refunds, and obtaining mental health support.
• Memorializing Your Experience: Our team has extensive experience accompanying clients directly to their properties to video-record descriptions of the destruction, document structural losses, and preserve the story of your home and evacuation.
  

  ---

About Danko Meredith & Attorney Referrals

Danko Meredith has held utility companies accountable for their actions for over 30 years, representing thousands of people who have lost their homes to utility-caused fires across the state. Our experience spans representation for homeowners, renters, condominium owners, agricultural landowners, employees, and business owners across dozens of California counties—including those affected by the 2017 Thomas Fire, as well as cases in Contra Costa, Mendocino, Butte, Napa, Sonoma, Calaveras, and Lake counties.

Attorney Referrals and Joint Ventures

Danko Meredith is recognized as one of the leading plaintiff’s trial law firms in California and frequently collaborates with outside attorneys and law firms on case referrals. If you would like to assist your clients by teaming up with our seasoned team of wildfire advocates, please contact us directly to discuss referral percentages.

Contact Danko Meredith

If you are a survivor of the Eaton Fire and lost your home or business in Altadena or surrounding areas, let our experienced team help you navigate the recovery process. We offer free consultations and handle all wildfire cases on a contingency basis — no fees, no costs, unless we recover for you.

Free Case Evaluation

To request a free consultation, share your story, or discuss an attorney referral opportunity, contact our law firm today.