A civil rights attorney, Ben Crump, has filed one of the first wrongful death lawsuits against electric utility company Southern California Edison in connection with the devastating Eaton Fire. The lawsuit alleges that SoCal Edison's aging electrical equipment and infrastructure failed, sparking a vegetation fire in Eaton Canyon. This failure is attributed to a 'disregard of mandated safety practices and foreseeable hazardous risks associated with its infrastructure,' which resulted in the tragic loss of at least 17 lives in Altadena.
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of fire victim Evelyn McClendon's family, claims that SoCal Edison neglected to power down its electrical equipment despite receiving warnings from the National Weather Service four days prior about a 'Fire Weather Watch.' Furthermore, the power company is accused of failing to adequately inspect and manage its equipment and the surrounding vegetation near power lines. It is also alleged that SoCal Edison did not ensure that contractors were properly trained in tree inspections and removal.
Evelyn McClendon, a beloved school bus driver for Pasadena Unified School District, tragically lost her life in the fire. Her remains were discovered by family members amidst the rubble of her home. Her brother, Zaire Calvin, emphasized the broader impact of the tragedy, stating, 'It's not just about my sister, it's about everyone who's going to discover that they lost someone because they're missing or they haven't seen them.'
This is not the first time SoCal Edison has faced legal challenges related to wildfires. The company has previously paid substantial settlements for its involvement in other destructive California fires, such as the 2017 Thomas Fire and the 2018 Woolsey Fire. Los Angeles County officials have confirmed that the cause of the Eaton Fire is still under investigation.
