Sue Utility Companies for Fire Damage — SCE & LADWP Lawsuits

Sue Utility Companies for California Wildfire Damage

California's devastating wildfires are often caused by utility company negligence. Power lines, electrical equipment, transformers, and poorly maintained infrastructure have sparked some of the state's deadliest fires. If a utility company like Southern California Edison (SCE), Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), or the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) caused the fire that destroyed your home or business, you have the legal right to sue and recover full compensation.

The Law Offices of Rozsa Gyene has over 25 years of experience suing utility companies for wildfire damage. We've recovered over $50 million for California fire victims and know exactly how to hold these powerful corporations accountable under California's strict liability laws.

Inverse Condemnation: California's Powerful Liability Law

California has a unique legal doctrine called inverse condemnation that makes it easier for wildfire victims to sue utility companies. Under inverse condemnation, utility companies are strictly liable for fire damage caused by their equipment—even if they weren't negligent.

This means you don't have to prove the utility company was careless or violated safety regulations. You only need to prove that:

• The utility company's equipment caused the fire
• The fire damaged your property
• You suffered losses as a result

Under inverse condemnation, the utility company must compensate you for all damages, including your home, belongings, displacement costs, and even emotional distress. Additionally, California law requires utilities to pay your attorney fees if you win, meaning you don't have to pay legal fees out of your recovery.

Utility Companies We Sue for Fire Damage

We represent wildfire victims in lawsuits against all California utility companies, including:

Southern California Edison (SCE)

SCE has been found responsible for numerous catastrophic California wildfires, including the 2018 Woolsey Fire, the 2017 Thomas Fire, the 2019 Getty Fire, and the 2025 Eaton Fire. The utility's aging equipment, inadequate maintenance, and failure to de-energize power lines during dangerous wind conditions have caused billions of dollars in wildfire damage. We aggressively pursue SCE lawsuits to hold the company accountable.

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)

PG&E's equipment sparked the 2018 Camp Fire (the deadliest wildfire in California history), the 2019 Kincade Fire, and many others. The company filed for bankruptcy due to wildfire liabilities but continues to pay fire victims through a victim compensation fund. We help clients navigate PG&E fire claims and lawsuits.

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)

As a municipal utility, LADWP is also subject to inverse condemnation liability. If LADWP's power lines or equipment caused a fire that damaged your property in Los Angeles—such as the Pacific Palisades Fire—we can sue the city and recover compensation. LADWP fire lawsuits require compliance with government claim procedures, which we handle expertly.

San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)

SDG&E has been held liable for multiple San Diego County wildfires. We represent victims in SDG&E fire lawsuits throughout Southern California.

What Compensation Can You Recover in a Utility Fire Lawsuit?

When you sue a utility company for fire damage, you can recover compensation for all losses caused by the fire, including:

• Property Damage: Full replacement cost of your home, structures, and improvements
• Personal Belongings: All contents inside your home—furniture, clothing, electronics, jewelry, artwork, collections
• Landscaping: Mature trees, plants, outdoor structures, fencing, and hardscaping
• Vehicles: Cars, trucks, RVs, boats, motorcycles destroyed in the fire
• Business Losses: Lost income, business interruption, equipment, inventory
• Additional Living Expenses: Temporary housing, meals, storage, and displacement costs
• Loss of Use: Compensation for being unable to use your property
• Emotional Distress: Psychological trauma from losing your home and community
• Evacuation Costs: Expenses incurred while fleeing the fire
• Attorney Fees: The utility company must pay your legal fees under California law
• Expert Costs: Investigation, engineering, and appraisal fees are also recoverable

Unlike insurance claims with policy limits, utility lawsuits allow you to recover the full value of your losses without caps. This is especially important for victims who are underinsured or whose insurance claims don't cover all damages.

How We Prove a Utility Company Caused the Fire

To win a utility fire lawsuit, we must prove that the utility company's equipment was the ignition source. Here's how we build your case:

• Fire Investigation: We hire expert fire investigators, engineers, and forensic scientists to determine the fire's origin and cause
• Utility Records: We subpoena the utility company's maintenance records, equipment inspection logs, and incident reports
• Weather Data: We analyze wind conditions, humidity, and other weather factors that contributed to fire spread
• Witness Testimony: We interview firefighters, first responders, and neighbors who saw sparks or equipment failures
• Equipment Inspection: Our experts examine power lines, transformers, and electrical equipment for defects
• Government Reports: We obtain Cal Fire investigation reports and regulatory findings

Building a strong case requires immediate action. Evidence can be destroyed or lost over time. The sooner you hire an attorney, the sooner we can begin investigating and preserving critical evidence.

Utility Lawsuits vs. Insurance Claims: You Can Pursue Both

Many wildfire victims wonder whether they should file an insurance claim or sue the utility company. The answer is both. These are separate legal avenues that work together to maximize your total recovery.

Your insurance policy should provide immediate compensation for covered losses. However, insurance policies have limits, exclusions, and deductibles. Even with a generous settlement, your insurance may not cover everything. A utility lawsuit can recover:

• Losses that exceed your policy limits (underinsurance gaps)
• Your insurance deductible
• Damages not covered by your policy (like certain landscaping or emotional distress)
• Additional compensation if your insurance company acted in bad faith

We coordinate both your insurance claim and utility lawsuit to ensure you receive maximum compensation from all available sources. We represent victims of recent California wildfires including the 2025 Hurst Fire in Sylmar, Eaton Fire, and Pacific Palisades Fire.

Critical Deadlines for Utility Fire Lawsuits

Time is critical. California law imposes strict deadlines for suing utility companies:

• Inverse Condemnation Statute of Limitations: Typically 3 years from the date of the fire (but can be shorter)
• Government Claims (LADWP and Municipal Utilities): Must file a formal claim with the government entity within 6 months of the fire
• Evidence Preservation: Critical evidence can be lost within weeks or months
• Class Action Deadlines: If joining a class action, registration deadlines may apply

Missing these deadlines can permanently forfeit your right to sue. Don't wait. Contact a utility fire attorney immediately after your loss.

Why You Need a Utility Fire Lawsuit Attorney

Utility companies are powerful corporations with teams of attorneys defending against wildfire claims. You need an experienced attorney who knows how to fight back. Here's what we do for our clients:

• Immediate Investigation: We launch an independent fire investigation to preserve evidence and build your case
• Expert Witness Team: We hire the best fire investigators, engineers, and damages experts in the industry
• Complete Damages Calculation: We document every dollar of loss to maximize your recovery
• Aggressive Negotiation: We negotiate directly with utility company lawyers and insurance carriers
• Trial Preparation: If the utility won't settle fairly, we're ready to take your case to trial
• No Upfront Costs: We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win
• Fee Recovery: California law requires utilities to pay your attorney fees, so you keep your full recovery

Common Defenses Utilities Use (And How We Beat Them)

Utility companies don't simply accept responsibility. They use sophisticated defenses to avoid or minimize liability:

• "Our equipment didn't cause the fire": They claim another ignition source started the fire. We counter with expert fire investigations proving their equipment was the cause.
• "The fire was caused by natural forces": They blame wind or vegetation. We show that their equipment failure was the proximate cause.
• "You're exaggerating your damages": They lowball property values. We hire independent appraisers and contractors to prove true replacement costs.
• "Your insurance already paid you": They try to offset insurance payments. We demonstrate that insurance didn't cover all losses and coordinate subrogation claims.
• "We followed all regulations": They claim compliance with safety rules. We show that regulatory compliance doesn't eliminate inverse condemnation liability.

We've seen every defense and know how to defeat them. Our experience gives you a significant advantage in negotiations and at trial.

Frequently Asked Questions About Utility Fire Lawsuits

How do I know if a utility company caused my fire?

Cal Fire and other agencies investigate wildfire causes. However, you don't need to wait for official findings. If you suspect utility equipment sparked the fire, contact us immediately for a free case evaluation. We'll conduct an independent investigation to determine causation and preserve evidence before it's lost.

How much is my utility fire lawsuit worth?

Every case is unique. Your compensation depends on the full extent of your losses—property damage, personal belongings, temporary living costs, business interruption, emotional distress, and more. Utility fire settlements range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. We provide a free case evaluation to estimate your potential recovery.

Can I sue the utility even if I received insurance money?

Absolutely. Insurance payments rarely cover all losses. You can sue the utility for losses that exceed your insurance coverage, your deductible, and damages not covered by your policy. Your insurance company may also join your lawsuit through subrogation to recover what they paid you.

How long does a utility fire lawsuit take?

Utility fire lawsuits typically take 1-3 years from filing to resolution. Some cases settle quickly through mediation; others require trial. However, we work to secure advance payments and partial settlements so you can begin rebuilding while your case proceeds. For a detailed breakdown of each litigation phase, see our complete guide to wildfire lawsuit timelines.

What does it cost to sue a utility company?

Nothing upfront. We handle utility fire lawsuits on contingency. You pay no legal fees unless we win your case. Even better, California's inverse condemnation law requires the utility company to pay your attorney fees and expert costs if you prevail, meaning you keep 100% of your damage recovery.

Should I join a class action or file an individual lawsuit?

It depends on your situation. Class actions can be convenient but often result in lower per-person recovery. Individual lawsuits allow us to fully document your unique losses and maximize compensation. We'll advise you on the best strategy for your specific case.

California's utility companies must be held accountable for the wildfires they cause. If SCE, PG&E, LADWP, or another utility destroyed your property, don't let them escape responsibility. Contact the Law Offices of Rozsa Gyene today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We'll fight to get you the justice and compensation you deserve.