Can I Sue Southern California Edison for Fire Damage? SCE Wildfire Lawsuits Explained

When wildfires devastate California communities, one question is on every victim's mind: Who is responsible? Increasingly, the answer points to utility companies—and Southern California Edison (SCE) has been at the center of some of the most devastating fires in the state's history.

If you lost your home, business, or a loved one in a wildfire potentially caused by SCE's equipment, you may be able to sue the utility company and recover significant compensation. Here's what you need to know about Southern California Edison fire lawsuits and your legal rights.

Southern California Edison's History of Deadly Wildfires

SCE's electrical equipment has been linked to numerous catastrophic wildfires in California, including:

Eaton Fire (2025)

The Eaton Fire, which ignited on January 7, 2025, destroyed over 9,400 structures in Altadena, Pasadena, and surrounding communities, killing at least 17 people. SCE is under investigation for potentially causing the fire, and Los Angeles County has filed a lawsuit against the utility alleging its equipment sparked the blaze.

Woolsey Fire (2018)

The Woolsey Fire burned nearly 97,000 acres in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, destroying 1,643 structures and killing three people. Investigations determined that SCE's electrical equipment ignited the fire. SCE faced thousands of lawsuits and paid hundreds of millions in settlements.

Thomas Fire (2017)

The Thomas Fire was the largest wildfire in California history at the time, burning over 280,000 acres and destroying more than 1,000 structures. CAL FIRE determined that SCE power lines caused the fire. The subsequent debris flows in Montecito killed 23 people.

This pattern of fires caused by poorly maintained electrical equipment has resulted in billions of dollars in damages and countless lives lost. If you've been affected by an SCE-caused fire, you have the right to hold the company accountable.

Why Can I Sue SCE Even If I Have Insurance?

Many fire victims assume that if they have homeowner's insurance, they can't sue the utility company. This is wrong.

Your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company. It pays based on your coverage limits—which are often far less than your actual losses. A lawsuit against SCE is completely separate and seeks compensation from the party that caused your damages.

Reasons to sue SCE in addition to filing an insurance claim:

• Underinsurance: Many homeowners discover they are significantly underinsured, especially in high-value areas. A lawsuit can recover the gap.
• Items insurance doesn't cover: Mature trees, landscaping, emotional distress, and certain personal property may not be covered by insurance.
• Policy limits: Your insurance won't pay more than your coverage limits, even if your losses exceed them.
• Accountability: Lawsuits force utility companies to improve safety practices and prevent future fires.

Legal Theories for Suing Southern California Edison

Inverse Condemnation

Under California law, utility companies can be held strictly liable for fire damages caused by their equipment under a legal theory called inverse condemnation. This means you don't have to prove SCE was negligent—you only need to show that SCE's equipment caused the fire that damaged your property.

Why does this law exist? Because utilities benefit from operating infrastructure throughout wildfire-prone areas, they should bear the responsibility when that infrastructure causes damage. The costs of wildfires should be spread across all ratepayers through insurance, not borne entirely by individual victims.

Negligence

In addition to inverse condemnation, fire victims can sue SCE for negligence. This requires proving that:

• SCE had a duty to maintain its equipment safely
• SCE breached that duty (through inadequate maintenance, failure to de-energize lines during high winds, etc.)
• The breach caused the fire
• You suffered damages as a result

Evidence of negligence can include: failure to clear vegetation around power lines, delayed equipment repairs, not de-energizing lines during red flag warnings, and ignoring previous safety violations.

What Compensation Can You Recover from SCE?

A successful lawsuit against Southern California Edison can provide compensation for:

• Property Damage: Full value of your home, structures, and land—including amounts exceeding your insurance coverage
• Personal Property: Furniture, electronics, clothing, vehicles, artwork, jewelry, and family heirlooms
• Trees and Landscaping: Mature trees can be worth tens of thousands of dollars each—a loss insurance rarely covers adequately
• Additional Living Expenses: Temporary housing, hotels, rental costs, meals, and other displacement expenses
• Lost Income: Wages lost due to evacuation, injury, or property damage
• Business Losses: Lost profits, destroyed inventory, equipment, and business interruption
• Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and trauma from the fire experience
• Medical Expenses: Treatment for burns, smoke inhalation, and other fire-related injuries
• Wrongful Death: If you lost a family member, compensation for funeral expenses, loss of support, and loss of companionship

How SCE Fire Lawsuits Work

Lawsuits against major utility companies are complex and typically involve thousands of plaintiffs. Here's what to expect:

1. Investigation and Filing

Your attorney will investigate the fire's cause, gather evidence, and file a lawsuit against SCE. This typically happens within the first few months after the fire.

2. Coordination and Consolidation

Because utility fire cases involve thousands of claims, courts typically consolidate them for pretrial proceedings. A group of lead counsel is appointed to handle liability discovery—the process of proving SCE caused the fire.

3. Discovery

Attorneys obtain evidence from SCE, including maintenance records, internal communications, inspection reports, and expert testimony. This phase can take 1-2 years.

4. Settlement or Trial

Most SCE fire cases settle before trial. In past fires, SCE has paid hundreds of millions to billions of dollars to settle claims. If a settlement cannot be reached, cases proceed to trial.

Contact an SCE Fire Lawsuit Attorney Today

Southern California Edison has vast legal resources to defend against fire claims. You need experienced attorneys who know how to take on major utilities and win.

At Fire Claims Lawyer, we have the experience and resources to fight SCE and get you the compensation you deserve. Our attorneys have successfully represented thousands of wildfire victims against utility companies.

Free consultation. No fee unless we win.

The deadline to file your lawsuit is approaching. Don't wait—contact us today to protect your rights.