An Altadena family has filed a civil lawsuit seeking justice and compensation for the extensive damage and catastrophic losses caused by the Eaton Fire. The plaintiffs, Altadena residents Stephen Seetal and Angelle Hill-Seetal, along with their minor children, are represented by the Wildfire Victim Advocates Consortium that includes three law firms, Walkup Melodia Kelly & Schoenberger; Cotchett Pitre & McCarthy, LLP; and Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP.
The legal team is suing Southern California Edison (SCE), alleging that the utility’s negligence in maintaining and de-powering critical equipment contributed to the devastating fire.
The Eaton Fire broke out on January 7, 2025, sparking flames near high-voltage electrical towers in Eaton Canyon. Eyewitnesses reported seeing small fires and flashes of light near the towers around 6:11 p.m., coinciding with faults detected by Whisker Labs, a technology company that monitors electrical wire activity. Despite mounting evidence pointing to SCE’s equipment as the cause, Cal Fire has yet to release its final determination.
According to the complaint, initial statements from SCE claimed no electrical issues in the area in the 12 hours leading up to the fire. However, the utility later acknowledged a fault recorded at 6:11 p.m. at a substation five miles away. Although SCE de-powered some lower-voltage circuits earlier that afternoon, it maintained the power to the 220-kilovolt high-voltage transmission lines believed to have sparked the wildfire.
The lawsuit highlights Southern California Edison’s failure to address increasing wildfire risks in Los Angeles County. Since 2016, nearly 300,000 acres have burned in 98 separate fires. As of January 7, 2025, Los Angeles County was experiencing severe drought conditions, leaving vegetation dangerously dry and primed for ignition.
“Time and again, Edison has turned a blind eye to addressing the foreseeable risks of its electrical equipment igniting catastrophic wildfires," said Rahul Ravipudi, partner at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP. "It remains a company driven by the pursuit of profit and a willingness to sacrifice the safety and security of our communities. The devastation we are seeing from the Eaton Fire is, sadly, not surprising given the manner in which Edison continues to conduct its business.”
The plaintiffs allege that SCE’s negligence directly contributed to the fire, which destroyed homes, displaced families, and wreaked havoc in Altadena.
"Our family has been devastated by the Eaton Fire, which destroyed our home and uprooted our lives. We trusted Edison to maintain their equipment and prioritize public safety, but their negligence has caused devastating loss not only for our family, but for all those affected in our community," said Stephen Seetal.
“Our clients deserve answers and accountability,” said Michael A. Kelly, a shareholder at the Walkup Firm. “This lawsuit is the first step toward holding Southern California Edison responsible for their role in this preventable tragedy.”
The law firms of Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger; Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP; and Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP have a distinguished history of representing victims of major California wildfires over the past two decades. In Los Angeles, these firms have united to assist individuals and businesses affected by devastating fires.
Collectively, they have held leadership roles in litigation against utility companies such as Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and Southern California Gas Company. Their extensive experience includes pivotal involvement in cases arising from the Wine Country Fires, Camp Fire, Thomas Fire, Santa Barbara Mudslides, Woolsey Fire, and Maui Fire.
“Given our extensive experience in the prosecution of catastrophic wildfire cases, we intend to move swiftly and efficiently toward achieving the best resolution possible for fire victims," said Frank M. Pitre, partner at Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250203274797/en/
Contacts
MEDIA CONTACT: Angela Bailey abailey@panish.law
