SoCal Edison Launches Compensation Program For Eaton Fire Victims

ALTADENA, CA — Even as the cause of the Eaton Fire is still being investigated, Southern California Edison said Wednesday it will offer to quickly pay and resolve claims from victims, apparently in an attempt to avoid lengthy litigation.

Edison said it would launch a Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program this fall for those who lost homes, businesses or rental properties in the fire. Claims would also cover total and partial structure loss, commercial property loss, business interruption, smoke and ash, physical injury and fatalities, the utility said.

"Community members shouldn't have to wait for the final conclusions in the Eaton Fire investigation to get the financial support they need to begin rebuilding," Pedro Pizarro, chief executive of Edison International, the utility's parent company, said in a statement.

"Even though the details of how the Eaton Fire started are still being evaluated, SCE will offer an expedited process to pay and resolve claims fairly and promptly. This allows the community to focus more on recovery instead of lengthy, expensive litigation."

The Eaton fire killed 19 people and destroyed more than 9,400 homes and other structures in Altadena.

SCE said it was working with Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille S. Biros, who helped administer the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, to consult on the design of the program.

"The goal for SCE's Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program is to model the program after several successful direct claims programs we have designed," Feinberg said. "These programs can quickly and fairly compensate individuals and businesses that have experienced losses resulting from these tragic events."

Participation will be voluntary for community members, with no application fees, administrative costs or legal fees charged by SCE to participate, according to the utility.

The program will be set up to "easily, quickly and equitably" compensate those who qualify, including those who were insured, SCE said, and participation is possible with or without an attorney. Additional details on the program, which is expected to operate through 2026, will be shared later this summer, according to SCE.

In the wake of the Jan. 7 fire, dozens of lawsuits have been filed against Edison. Videos appear to capture the wildfire igniting under a transmission line in Eaton Canyon.

"The architecture and timing of the SCE direct claims program will be instrumental in efficiently managing funding resources, mitigating interest costs and minimizing inflationary pressures so funds can address actual claims and fairly compensate community members for their losses," Pizarro said.

City News Service