As destructive wildfires continue to ravage Los Angeles, legal representatives for those impacted are preparing to bring multiple lawsuits to court, alleging negligence on the part of at least two public utilities in Southern California. Southern California Edison stands accused of neglecting the maintenance of power lines and other equipment, purportedly contributing to the ignition of the 14,000-acre Eaton fire that devastated Altadena neighborhoods before spreading to other communities. The lawsuit, filed by McNicholas & McNicholas, Becker Law Group, and Singleton Schreiber, asserts that this negligence in a highly fire-prone region, despite documented weather alerts and high wind risks, goes beyond mere irresponsibility and amounts to gross negligence. Attorney Patrick McNicholas emphasized the commitment to hold Southern California Edison accountable for the alleged negligence and to seek justice for the victims who have suffered losses of property, livelihoods, and loved ones.
In response, SoCal Edison disputed the claim in an incident report sent to the California Public Utilities Commission, stating that their equipment did not cause the fire, with no reported interruptions or anomalies until over an hour after the fire started. The utility also mentioned that no fire agency had implicated their facilities in the ignition or requested the removal of any equipment. While a lawsuit related to the Eaton fire has been filed, SoCal Edison has not yet received the complaint and will review it upon receipt, as the cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to a spokesperson for the company.
Moreover, SoCal Edison highlighted in a recent statement that distribution lines near Eaton Canyon were operational prior to the fire as part of their public safety power shutoff program. The company expressed solidarity with the affected communities in Southern California amid the devastating fires.
In a separate legal action, over a dozen victims of the Pacific Palisades wildfire — labeled the most destructive blaze in LA’s history — are suing the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). They allege that water supply failures exacerbated the fire damage, with the complaint contending that the municipal utility should have maintained water in the Santa Ynez Reservoir, which had reportedly been dry for almost a year. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of residents and a local pizzeria owner, points out that the water supply system in Pacific Palisades faltered, leaving residents and firefighters with inadequate water resources to combat the blaze.
In its defense, LADWP cited the unprecedented demand for water and the lack of aerial support to combat the wildfire as factors that led to reduced water pressure, affecting some hydrants at higher elevations. The utility stated that it promptly dispatched water tankers to support firefighting efforts.
LADWP announced its plans to conduct an internal investigation to improve water resiliency and better respond to the challenges posed by climate change. As of Wednesday afternoon, the wildfires across the LA area had resulted in numerous casualties and widespread devastation.
At least 25 people have perished, with more than 12,000 structures decimated and over 60 square miles left charred in the wake of the recent wildfires. The most extensive blazes, including the Palisades and Eaton wildfires, continue to rage uncontrollably, according to officials.
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