The recent wildfires in Southern California have been heartbreaking, leaving hundreds and thousands of Americans displaced and in a state of shock. While dry conditions and strong winds may seem like the primary reason for such incidents, an investigation often reveals a negligent power company or entity behind all of the devastation.
Southern California has been hit with a fury of wildfires, with the Palisades Fire being one of the largest in the history of Los Angeles County. It has killed several people and left many citizens injured, not to mention billions of dollars in property damage.
Fortunately, Ehline Law is here to help. We are heartbroken by the victims’ struggles and fights for their lives and property. Our team has the skills and expertise to assess your case and guide you through your legal options, helping you and your loved ones get back on your feet.
What We Know So Far About the Palisades Fire
When it erupted on January 7, 2025, the Palisades Fire rushed down the mountain and burned through the affluent and peaceful neighborhood of Pacific Palisades. It left more than 23,000 acres of land in flames, swallowing whole communities along its way.
The Palisades Fire has killed at least eight citizens, injured many, destroyed over 5,000 structures, and displaced hundreds of thousands of residents. It’s one of the most terrifying disasters in modern history, and firefighters have been trying to extinguish it for a week.
Although the Los Angeles Fire Department has contained 18% of the Palisades Fire, weather experts warn of strong, dangerous winds that could further fuel the raging wildfire. Approximately 88,000 people are under mandatory evacuation as the government urges residents to leave their homes and properties behind.
That’s not all. As the Palisades Fire continues to burn, many wildfire victims have already started reporting missing friends and family members.
Can the Wildfire Victims in Pacific Palisades File Lawsuits to Recover Damages?
There are two types of wildfire claims affected parties can file, and these are as follows:
A Claim Against Your Insurance Company
Depending on your homeowners’ insurance, it may pay for damages caused by wildfires. However, it’s essential to understand that not all policies may provide financial protection in such situations, as some insurers require additional coverage.
Anyone with the right type of insurance may be able to file a claim with their insurer to cover the losses incurred from the Palisades Fire. While this may be good news, some companies may deny insurance coverage or payout, putting profits over the wildfire victims. This can make it challenging to recover compensation for injuries and personal property destruction.
When an insurer acts in bad faith, the law allows affected parties to file a complaint with the state’s Department of Insurance. An experienced wildfire attorney can review your policy to determine your legal options. If you have the right to obtain compensation, they will issue a strong letter to bring the insurer to the negotiation table.
A Claim Against a Negligent Party
After a long history of wildfires in Southern California, several insurance companies took a massive financial hit, which prompted them to stop taking on new customers in the affected regions. This left many homeowners without the right policy to provide coverage in case of such “natural” disasters.
That said, affected parties still have a legal way to obtain monetary damages. Under personal injury law, if a person suffers injuries due to someone else’s negligence, they can pursue a claim or lawsuit against their insurance company to recover compensation for the losses incurred.
It’s important for the Palisades Fire victims to contact an experienced wildfire attorney. They can review the facts surrounding their case and guide the affected parties on what to do next.
Who Is Liable for the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County?
While it may seem that wildfires are nature’s doings, they are almost the opposite in the United States. While some may happen due to dry and fire-prone conditions, most incidents have occurred because of human negligence.
Here are some of the parties that may be responsible for the Palisades Fire:
A Negligent Utility Company
This type of devastation isn’t the first of its kind. In 2018, Los Angeles County experienced the Woolsey Fire, which destroyed over 1,600 structures and set more than 96,000 acres of land on fire. An investigation revealed that defective power equipment operated by Southern California Edison caused the raging fire.
With the Palisades Fire, investigators remain focused on potential human causes. While it could take months for experts to comb the scorched hills to solve the mystery, authorities have already started investigating eyewitnesses to gather more information about this tragic incident.
Downed power lines or defective equipment due to a lack of maintenance could be potential causes of the fire. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is responsible for providing services in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, so it’s been asked to preserve reports to help with the investigation.
While the power company has received evidence preservation notices from its insurers, it has denied any operational or electrical anomalies hours before the fire’s reported start time. Any negligent party responsible for causing damages will never accept fault.
Currently, victims have filed a lawsuit against Southern California Edison related to the Eaton Fire, blaming it for the destruction in Eaton Canyon. The lawsuit cites 300 faults that the company failed to address, which may have caused the wildfire.
Although it’s too early to determine the cause of the Palisades Fire, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power may have caused the incident through negligence.
A Negligent Camper
Besides a negligent power company, a reckless camper or individual could also be behind the Palisades Fire. In 2011, two men failed to properly extinguish their campfire in Arizona, leading to the Wallow Fire, one of the largest in the state’s history. It destroyed over 538,000 acres of land and injured around 16 people.
After hearing explosions and bangs, BBC reporter Emma Vardy investigated a portion of the land ravaged by the Palisades Fire. She found exploded ammunition casings in the debris, which could potentially point to a negligent individual or entity.
Fortunately, the personal injury law provides a legal remedy for affected parties in the form of compensation if they suffered injuries caused by another individual’s negligence.
Fireworks?
While it’s too early to say that some fires may have been caused by negligence on behalf of a utility company, government entity, or individual, a BBC reporter, Emma Vardy, described hearing bangs and explosions as the fire tore through Pacific Palisades. This could be the sound of lithium batteries exploding from salt air. Lithium batteries react poorly to salty air along the coast and power many electrical power meters.
Since the BBC reporter mentioned seeing exploded ammunition casing, it could be possible that the government or military was negligent in securing the shells, which could’ve led to the Palisades Fire. On the other hand, a professor from a reputable university stated that the city fireworks in the Palisades area may have caused the wildfire.
Upon visiting the area, she found the exploded remains of ammunition casing shells, which could potentially explain the havoc wreaked upon Los Angeles.
Palisades Fire from City Fireworks: The Los Angeles Government Could Be Partially Liable for the Palisades Fire!
Whether it was unsecured ammunition shells or city fireworks, here’s an interesting perspective on the Palisades Fire incident:
During the firefighting efforts, a loss of water supply and reduced water pressure in municipal water systems, including nearby fire hydrants, allowed the flames to continue spreading.
Had the water supply remained consistent, the Santa Monica fire station and its firefighters may have been able to stop the fire before it burned thousands of acres in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, including the Palisades Charter High School.
Even if the government was not responsible for starting the fire, it could be liable for not stopping it due to the failure of the state’s water systems. On January 10, 2025, Governor Newsom announced an investigation into the loss of water pressure, the unavailability of water supplies, and dry fire hydrants not filled from the Santa Ynez Reservoir. This severely impacted firefighting efforts during the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles.
If it’s found that the government or its officials were negligent in maintaining the water systems, which caused the fire to rip through Pacific Palisades, they could be held partially liable under personal injury law. Their degree of fault will determine the compensation they must pay to the affected party.
According to the National Weather Service, strong dry winds, delayed rainfall, and warmer-than-average temperatures contribute to California’s wildfire season, which typically begins in June and lasts through October.
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Could Be Partially Liable for the Damages Caused by the Palisades Fire!
Whether it’s the Hurst Fire, Eaton Fire, or Palisades Fire, wildfire victims must understand that they can still sue and obtain damages even if the negligent party is partially responsible for causing the fire.
More than a dozen victims have sued the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, saying that it contributed to the havoc wreaked upon Los Angeles. In the lawsuit, the affected parties blame the public utility company for failing to maintain fire hydrants.
The suit states that the California Public Utilities Commission labeled the region a high-fire-risk area. Had the company ensured a consistent water supply in the municipal water systems, it would’ve helped the firefighters contain the flames and prevent their further spread.
Under California law, injured victims can even sue partially responsible parties. That said, the damage they receive will be adjusted according to the fault attributed to the negligent company.
Seeking Justice for the Damages Caused by the Palisades Fire? Ehline Law Can Help!
Whether the Eaton Fire or the scorching flames in Pacific Palisades, Mike Ehline of Ehline Law is ready to legally represent affected parties and get them the justice and compensation they deserve.
The Palisades Fire has left me heartbroken. I spent most of my childhood in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood and know how close-knit it is. Everybody here knows somebody; this devastating situation has impacted most of them.
Since I personally feel obligated to help the affected parties, I’ve partnered with a skilled wildfire trial attorney, Mr. Alan Beck. He is a close friend who has litigated significant wildfire cases in Hawaii and California. He has also received numerous awards for his Woolsey and Thomas Fires leadership.
With Mr. Beck and Ehline Law by your side, affected parties can rest assured that they’re in good hands. We have over six decades of successful trial experience and have retained wildfire victims on a contingency fee basis for legal representation.
If you or your loved ones live in Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Encino, or Westwood and have suffered injuries in the Palisades Fire, call us at (833) LETS-SUE to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and have your rights protected!
