Page 1
Los Angeles County Sues Edison for Damages Relating to January’s Deadly Eaton Fire
By a MetNews Staff Writer
|
|
|
The image appearing above, depicting effects of the Eaton Fire in January, is taken from a complaint filed by the County of Los Angeles yesterday against Southern California Edison and Edison International, blaming them for the blaze and consequent monetary damage to the plaintiff. |
Los Angeles County yesterday filed suit in Superior Court against Southern California Edison and Edison International for damages caused by the deadly Eaton Fire which broke out on Jan. 7 in the Altadena area, alleging that “there is clear evidence from video footage, photographs, and witness statements” that the fire started in vegetation below a transmission tower with high-voltage power lines owned and operated by the utility.
One of the videos, obtained from an ARCO gas station’s security cameras, appears to show arcing—where an electrical current flows through an unintended path, jumping through the air and causing a spark—at the transmission tower located in Eaton Canyon minutes before flames are seen in the foliage below.
Asserting, among other things, negligence in failing to clear vegetation and maintain electrical equipment, the County seeks to recoup for damage done to its property—such as nature preserves and parks—as well as environmental harms and the costs of responding to the fire.
Causes of Action
The Los Angeles Superior Court complaint includes causes of action for inverse condemnation, negligence, and nuisance. The county seeks economic damages, loss of tax revenues, labor costs, and other relief, saying:
“While the Plaintiffs’ damages and losses from the Eaton Fire and its aftermath are still being determined and will increase over time based on many factors, it is estimated that the damages will total at least hundreds of millions of dollars.”
In the pleading, the county asserts:
“The Eaton Fire was not the result of an ‘act of God’ or other force majeure. The Eaton Fire was ignited by sparks from high-voltage transmission lines, distribution lines, appurtenances, and other electrical equipment within EDISON’s utility infrastructure that ignited surrounding vegetation. Despite its knowledge of extreme fire risk, EDISON deliberately prioritized profits over safety and that prioritization and EDISON’s design, construction, and maintenance of its utility infrastructure was a substantial factor in igniting the Eaton Fire.”
The action is the latest in a slew of lawsuits—more than 40 actions have been filed by residents—against the utility for the fire, which destroyed more than 10,000 structures and killed 17 people.
Los Angeles County Counsel Dawyn R. Harrison, whose office filed the case, said in a press release yesterday:
“We are committed to seeking justice for the Altadena community and the taxpayers of Los Angeles County.”
According to yesterday’s statement, Pasadena and Sierra Madre are also filing suits against Edison for damages to taxpayer resources and public infrastructure caused by the Eaton Fire.
Edison Statement
Gabriela Ornelaf, a spokesperson for Southern California Edison, told MetNews yesterday:
“Our hearts are with the communities affected by the wildfires in Southern California. We are reviewing the lawsuit that was recently filed and will address it through the appropriate legal process.”
Attorneys with the affirmative Litigation and Consumer Protection Division of the Office of County Counsel will prosecute the case with the assistance of John P. Fiske, Victoria E. Sherlin, and Taylor A. O’Neal of the firm Baron & Bud P.C., which has offices in Encino. Also listed as counsel for the county in the complaint are Ed Diab, Robert J. Chambers II, and Kristen Barton of San Diego-based Diab Chambers LLP.
Copyright 2025, Metropolitan News Company