If you have been affected by the Eaton wildfire, contact Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian today for help. Our Eaton wildfire attorneys understand the difficulties you are facing in the aftermath of this devastating event and will work to protect your rights and secure the compensation you need to move forward and rebuild. Call us today for experienced representation for your Eaton Fire lawsuit at (949) 831-6611. Free consultations.
“This is hands down the best law firm if you have been affected by a fire.”
-Newton H. Via Yelp.
Why Hire An Eaton Wildfire Lawyer?
An experienced California wildfire attorney can help you build a strong claim to seek the compensation you deserve for the losses caused by the fire. Whether you’ve suffered property damage, injuries, or other hardships, having skilled legal representation ensures your case is handled with the utmost care and attention it deserves.
At Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian, our team brings extensive experience in handling wildfire claims and a deep understanding of the complexities involved. We are dedicated to navigating the claims process efficiently and effectively on your behalf. We will:
- Pursue the maximum possible compensation: we will work diligently to recover all the damages you are entitled to, including property repair costs, medical expenses, lost income, emotional distress, and more so that you can rebuild your life in the aftermath
- Help you file your claim properly and on time: we will ensure your claim is completed with the correct paperwork, filed within the statute of limitations, and adheres to all legal requirements to avoid delays or denials
- Hold Insurers accountable: we will review your policy with you to ensure you have a full understanding of your coverage and advocate for you if your insurance company attempts to act in bad faith by delaying, undervaluing, or denying your claim.
- Provide personalized support: we offer compassionate and personalized guidance at every step of the claims process to ensure you never feel alone and understand what is going on in your case.
“We aim to represent our clients better than anyone else”
Our Firm Specializes in Wildfire Law
The attorneys at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian have extensive experience in wildfire litigation. When you choose to work with our Eaton Fire attorneys, you get personalized attention to your case to maximize recovery. We work on a low contingency fee basis, you pay nothing unless we win. We have a perfect track record against Southern California Edison, representing thousands of clients.
What to Expect During Your Initial Consultation
When you arrange a free consultation with a wildfire attorney in Southern California, you get the opportunity to speak directly to a knowledgeable and licensed professional about your legal rights and options as a property owner who has been affected by the Eaton Fire.
Knowing what to expect from this first meeting, and what questions to ask, can help you get the most out of your case review. In general, an initial consultation will involve the following:
- Telling your story. You can tell your story in your own words to an attorney who is here to listen and provide guidance. Your lawyer will learn how you were impacted by the Eaton Fire, whether you have insurance and if you’ve already filed a claim to get to know your situation better.
- Getting personalized legal advice. Your attorney will discuss potential liability (legal and financial responsibility) for your Eaton Fire losses based on the known causes of this fire and the lawsuits already filed against Southern California Edison (SCE).
- Understanding your rights. Our goal at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian is to educate you about your rights as a wildfire victim in California so that you can make informed decisions about your case and future moving forward.
- Discussing possible representation. If we offer to represent you, we will discuss our services and processes in detail. This includes explaining our $0 upfront fee structure, 25% contingency fee arrangement and client communication methods.
You will have time to ask questions and get tailored answers from a highly experienced California wildfire attorney during a free consultation at our law firm. We recommend preparing for your initial meeting by writing down key details of your wildfire story, organizing relevant documents and records, and preparing any questions you have for us.
How Liability Works in Wildfire Cases
While a wildfire can certainly be caused by an “act of God,” such as a lightning strike, in California, most disastrous wildfires in recent years have been caused by humans; more specifically, electric and gas utility companies such as SCE and PG&E (Pacific Gas & Electric). In these situations, the at-fault party can be held liable for damage and injuries caused by the fire.
Determining who is legally responsible for contributing to a wildfire in California typically involves the legal theory of negligence. Negligence refers to someone failing to use reasonable care, such as a utility company failing to properly maintain its power lines. When negligence sparks a wildfire, the negligent party can be held accountable.
In California, strict liability laws also apply to wildfire cases caused by public utilities. Based on the doctrine of inverse condemnation, property owners can seek financial compensation from public utility companies or government agencies when they are at fault for starting wildfires. This legal theory applies to all cases involving property damaged or taken for public use.
Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian Files Complaint Against Southern California Edison
In the complaint, our team of Eaton Fire lawyers allege Southern California Edison failed to de-energize power lines over Eaton Canyon, despite a red flag warning issued by the National Weather Service. Read the full complaint below and find the Eaton Fire press release here. If you lost your home, you were injured, or are a victim of the Eaton Fire, join Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian and many other fire victims in this mass action suit against Southern California Edison.
Updates:
- Our firm is hosting a town hall for victims of the Eaton Fire on June 11th and June 14th. This resource is intended to give fire victims a place to ask questions, learn their rights, how to pursue claims, and more.
- As of 1/31/25, the Eaton fire was 100% contained.
- Here are the latest figures:
• 9,418 destroyed structures.
• 1,074 damaged structures.
• 14,021 acres burned.
• 18 confirmed deaths.
KTLA5: Michael Artinian Interview Regarding SCE ‘Zombie’ Power Line Investigation
About the Eaton Fire
Just after 6 pm on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, the Eaton Fire broke out in the Altadena/Pasadena area near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive in Los Angeles County. So far, there have been five deaths, and many more injuries, including four firefighters.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department estimates that over 1,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed in the fire. Due to the blaze, around 100,000 residents received mandatory evacuation orders while another 100,000 received evacuation warnings.
Anthony Marrone, Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief reported that the growth of the fire has stopped but it is not contained. Officials estimate that the fire has now scorched more than nearly 11,000 acres.
The high wind conditions, dry brush, and low humidity all played a role in this fire’s rapid expansion.
While the flames have been fully contained, the impact remains. Contact our Eaton fire lawyers to explore your legal options.
News Coverage on the Eaton Fire Lawsuit
Affected Areas
While firefighters worked aggressively to stop the spread of the Eaton wildfire, officials issued evacuation orders and warnings to residents in an effort to keep them safe. Areas under evacuation orders included:
- Altadena
- Arcadia
- Pasadena
- Sierra Madre
Additionally, many schools have been closed including:
- Alhambra Unified School District
- Arcadia Unified School District
- Duarte Unified School District
- Garvey School District
- Glendale Unified School District (closed through Jan. 10)
- La Canada Unified (closed through Jan. 10)
- Monrovia Unified School District
- Pasadena Unified School District (closed through Jan. 10)
- San Gabriel Unified School District
- South Pasadena Unified School District
A full list of evacuation zones can be found on the CA Fire Eaton Fire incident update page.
Risks Residents Affected by the Eaton Fire Face
Residents who were affected by the Eaton wildfire, either due to their home being in the direct path of the fire or nearby, may experience a range of challenges and risks. Residents may experience losses including:
- Property damage and destruction – homes, personal belongings, cars, and other structures may be severely damaged or completely destroyed in the fire
- Burn injuries – residents caught in the fire’s path could suffer serious burn injuries, requiring immediate medical attention and potentially long-term care
- Wrongful death – tragically, some residents may lose loved ones due to the fire, whether from burns, smoke inhalation, or other related causes, leaving families to cope with emotional and financial burdens
- Smoke inhalation – exposure to thick smoke and harmful particles can lead to respiratory issues or exacerbate existing health conditions
- Financial losses – costs associated with property repairs, temporary relocation, and medical care can create significant financial strain
- Emotional and psychological trauma – the stress of evacuation, losing homes and other possessions, or witnessing the devastation can have a lasting emotional impact
- And more
Types of Damages Available to Eaton Fire Victims
A wildfire lawsuit or class action in California for the Eaton Fire can lead to an important financial recovery for you and your family. You are likely facing a mountain of bills, from property repair costs and medical care to expenses associated with your evacuation. Holding SCE or another party liable for your losses can result in the funding you need to move forward with peace of mind.
You could be eligible for a variety of both economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are the quantifiable losses that fire survivors may recover including:
- Real Property: Compensation for damaged or destroyed homes or buildings, removal of debris, and more.
- Landscaping: Costs associated with restoring outdoor property like trees and gardens.
- Personal Property: Reimbursement for personal belongings that were lost or damaged.
- Loss of Use: Compensation for the inability to use your property due to the fire.
- Personal Injury: Costs for medical treatments, therapy, or rehabilitation.
- Lost Income: Coverage for income lost due to the fire, whether it’s from a personal salary or business operations.
Non-economic damages are intended to compensate victims for intangible losses caused by the fire. These include:
- Emotional Distress: The mental suffering or anguish caused by the fire.
- Zone of Danger: Psychological trauma from being in immediate harm’s way, usually during evacuation. This can include sensory experience of fire, heat, smoke, ash, and falling debris.
- Nuisance: Compensation for ongoing disruptions caused by the fire’s aftermath. Get treatment and keep documentation of all medical bills.
- Cherished Family Possessions: Loss of irreplaceable sentimental items.
- Displacement, Stress, Anxiety, Annoyance, and Discomfort: Compensation for the disruption and emotional toll of being displaced or experiencing hardship due to the fire.
It’s important to understand how much your wildfire case is worth. Speak to an attorney for an accurate case evaluation before engaging in negotiations with the insurance company. Unlike an insurance provider, a personal injury attorney will want to see you receive maximum compensation for your Eaton Fire losses.
Determining if You’re Eligible to Recover Compensation
Whether you are eligible to receive financial compensation after a wildfire like the Eaton Fire depends on multiple factors. Determining your eligibility for financial recovery takes looking at the circumstances surrounding the cause of the fire, as well as how the wildfire affected you and your available insurance coverage.
During your free consultation at Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian, we will review these factors with you to let you know if your case has merit. If we believe you qualify for a monetary settlement or judgment award, we will let you know.
Relevant factors include:
- Fire impact: how significantly the Eaton Fire has affected your life, including your personal life, property, physical health and business. If you suffered any property loss, expenses associated with displacement or evacuation, adverse health effects, or the death of a loved one, you may have a valid claim.
- Insurance coverage: whether you have one or more types of insurance policies you can use to receive financial benefits. Even if you don’t have insurance, however, you may still qualify for compensation from a third party. While we are not insurance lawyers, we can help you understand whether or not you should accept a settlement.
- Liability: if someone else can be held responsible for your losses, you could receive compensation from a suit against this party. We have taken legal action against Southern California Edison for its part in contributing to the Eaton Fire. We can determine if you are eligible to join or start a suit.
In summary, you are likely to be eligible to recover financial compensation as a victim of the Eaton Fire if you experienced wildfire-related costs or losses, you have evidence and documentation of the way the wildfire impacted your life, there is evidence that someone else is at fault for your losses, and you are within your statute of limitations to file.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the goals of the Eaton Fire lawsuit?
Our firm has two main goals:
• To maximize your recovery in the lawsuit
• To force Southern California Edison to change and prevent this tragedy from ever happening again.
Who can qualify for wildfire financial compensation?
Any individual, business or family affected by the Eaton Fire. This includes homeowners, business owners, renters, farmers, ranchers and vacation property owners. You do not need to own a home to be eligible for financial compensation for your wildfire-related damage.
What is the statute of limitations on a wildfire lawsuit in California?
The statute of limitations – or amount of time you have to file a wildfire lawsuit in California – is two years for property damage or personal injury. However, you have three years from the date of the fire if you are suing a public utility under the theory of inverse condemnation.
What does it cost to hire Eaton Fire representation?
Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian have reduced our contingency fee for fire survivors from 40% to 25%. If we recover nothing, you pay nothing.
Do you outsource legal work?
We never outsource legal work. Once we have accepted a case, it is entirely handled by our legal team.
Do you accept litigation funding?
Our firm does not use litigation funding to front legal costs. Unlike firms that operate with litigation funding, we won’t rush you into a settlement to pay off interest.
What is a “Mass Action” case?
In a mass action case, every affected individual has their own claim and therefore, must file it or lose it. We represent every client separately and pursue damages unique to them.
What damages can you recover as a plaintiff fire survivor?
Do you handle insurance claims?
Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian are not insurance lawyers and do not offer insurance claims advice or representation. However, our firm is happy to take a look at your policy with you to give you peace of mind.
Why participate in litigation?
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- Victims can recover damages in excess of insurance policy limits.
- Recover emotional distress damages that are not covered by insurance.
- Help hold Southern California Edison accountable for their actions.
Call Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian To Speak With an Eaton Wildfire Lawyer Today
If you were affected by the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County, call Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian to learn how we may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve. Don’t go it alone in the devastating aftermath of the Eaton wildfire, call us at (949) 831-6611 to schedule your free consultation.