Eaton Wildfire Lawyer
Victims of the Eaton Fire in Altadena are now facing the long and challenging journey of rebuilding their lives. However, if you were injured or lost property in the fire, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. At Cutter Law, ourwildfire attorneys have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for fire loss victims. We are ready to help you and your family navigate the legal process during this difficult time. We offer free case reviews and will not charge any fees unless and until we win your case.
Overview of the Eaton Fire
- Start Date: January 7 at 6:15 p.m. PST.
- Origination: Eaton Canyon neighboring Altadena.
- Spread: 14,000 acres.
- Evacuations: More than 100,000 people evacuated by January 8.
- Damage: More than 7,500 structures burned.
- Investigations & Liability: Investigators are looking into an electrical transmission tower in Eaton Canyon owned by Southern California Edison.
Free LA Fire Webinars
Upcoming Webinar - Legal Town Hall #3
- Topic: LA Fire Legal Remedies 101: Mass Action, Class Action, Mass Tort, and other legal remedies explained.
- When: Thursday Jan 30, 2025 05:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
- Description: This free webinar gives LA Fire Survivors an insiders view into various legal actions that may make them whole and/or fight for justice.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Past Webinar - Legal Town Hall #2
- Topic: LA Fires and 3rd Party Liability/Trying To Make Your Family Whole
- Description: LA Fires and 3rd Party Liability/Trying to Make Your Family Whole
SoCal Edison Faces Lawsuits Over Eaton Fire
In the weeks following the Eaton fires, multiple lawsuits have been filed against Southern California Edison, alleging that the utility company’s electrical equipment sparked the fire. The suits also claim that SoCal Edison violated public safety by failing to deactivate their utilities during the Pacific Palisades fires that began less than a week earlier.
Early reports and videos of the fire suggest that it began at the base of SoCal Edison’s transmission tower in Eaton Canyon, rapidly spreading due to high winds.
“The Eaton fire appears to be directly related to Southern California Edison transmission lines that remained energized despite record winds.”
– Brooks Cutter, Founder of Cutter Law, P.C.
Who Is Eligible to File an Eaton Fire Lawsuit?
Anyone who has suffered losses from the Eaton Fire—whether physical, emotional, or financial—may be entitled to file a lawsuit for compensation. Homeowners’ insurance rarely covers all losses from a fire, and insurers often deny claims. You might be eligible to file a lawsuit if you have sustained any of the following losses:
- Suffering from injuries, such as burn injuries
- The loss of a loved one
- The loss of your home or business
- Suffering from emotional distress
- Financial losses incurred due to evacuation
The best way to determine if you’re entitled to compensation for wildfire damages is to speak with a Cutter Law California wildfire lawyer, who can determine if you have an actionable claim.
What Damages Can I Claim in a Wildfire Lawsuit?
After being injured or losing property in a wildfire, you may be able to receive compensation for a variety of losses, including the following:
- Medical bills for injuries
- Wrongful death damages and funeral costs
- Lost income due to loss of businesses
- Evacuation and alternative living arrangement costs
- Damage to personal property
It’s important to know that even if you have applicable fire insurance coverage, you may still have a valid claim due to underpayment or delays.
Why Choose Cutter Law to Handle Your Eaton Fire Claim?
Cutter Law has decades of experience handling California wildfire cases, including those resulting from the Dixie Fire, the Mosquito Fire, and the Tubbs Fire. We’ll listen to your story, advise you of your legal options, and let you know what to expect, from timelines to the necessary documentation.
Investigate Liability
We’ll gather strong evidence, including expert witnesses, to demonstrate SoCal Edison’s liability and your resulting damages.
Maximize Your Compensation
Our attorneys will guide you through each phase of the legal process for filing a lawsuit and pursuing the maximum available recovery.
Handle Insurance Challenges
The Cutter Law team will help you gather documentation and prepare the necessary paperwork to file your claim on time.
Meet Our Wildfire Attorneys
Brooks Cutter and John Roussas, two of Cutter Law’s premier wildfire attorneys, are California natives who know the area and its challenges. Brooks and John both have deep personal experience with California wildfires, fueling their passion for advocacy. Brooks’ brother’s home burned down during the L.A. fires in early 2025, and in 2017, John’s family lost their dream home and a lifetime of memories to the Tubbs Fire in Fountain Grove. Since then, our team has dedicated its time to helping families who have lost everything to fires.
What Our Clients Say
As a family run California law firm we pride ourselves in providing every client personal attention and representation. The outstanding results we have gotten for our fire clients are a direct result of our commitment to understanding and presenting all aspects of their case.
Hear from our previous clients about the relationships we build together.
“I happily attest that John Roussas is a wonderful attorney. He took us on the day after the Tubbs fire. John immediately understood the psychological and material toll that the fire inflicted on us. He acted professionally and compassionately guiding us through insurance difficulties. Grateful for John G. Roussas Esq.”
“Cutter Law has done a fantastic job negotiating with our insurance company with a possible bad faith claim. We had a house fire over a year ago and were getting nowhere until we hired Cutter Law. They are a perfect combination of kind, compassionate, and firm. Their communication has been excellent through the process and their knowledge of the law is very evident. We are so glad we have Cutter Law in our corner.”
Start Your Journey to Rebuilding Your Life Today
At Cutter Law, we understand how devastating the loss of your home can be—especially if your family was injured. When you hire us to represent you, you get our whole law firm. We work together as a team to always answer your phone calls and messages, going out of our way to keep you informed.
If you or a loved one have been affected by the devastating fires in Eaton, contact Cutter Law today to learn how we can help you hold SoCal Edison accountable and recover the compensation you deserve. We offer free case reviews, and if you hire us, you’ll pay us nothing unless we win your case.
Common Questions About Insurance Claims
Insurance coverage for wildfires can be complicated, especially when many people are simultaneously pursuing claims over a mass fire event. Below are some of the most common questions policyholders have regarding homeowners insurance claims.
What if my insurance company denies my claim?
Contact an attorney as soon as possible if your insurance company denies your claim, as the company may be acting in bad faith. Our knowledgeable bad faith insurance attorneys can review your insurance contract, dispute the denial, and ensure you receive the coverage you’re entitled to. Insurance companies act in bad faith in the hope that you will accept no for an answer rather than hire an attorney. When they see that you have an attorney working for you, they are more likely to do the right thing and pay your full claim value.
What if my insurance company undervalues my claim?
Undervaluing a claim is another example of how insurance companies often operate in bad faith. They are happy to collect premiums, but when you need coverage, some companies will try to get away with paying as little as possible. Before you accept the offer, contact Cutter Law. We can review your damages and determine whether the offer is fair. If not, we can negotiate with the insurance company to increase your payout or take the company to court.
Insurance policies don’t cover all types of damages. Thus, even if the insurance company pays the full value of your claim, the amount may fall short. We can pursue additional avenues of compensation, such as a personal injury lawsuit, to ensure you receive compensation for all of your losses.
What if my insurance company is delaying my payout?
Insurance companies sometimes delay resolving wildfire claims by requesting excessive documentation, prolonging investigations, or disputing policy coverage. If your insurer is stalling, Cutter Law can help push for a timely resolution, ensure all necessary paperwork is submitted correctly, and take legal action to secure your rightful compensation.
What Documents Will I Need To File a Claim?
Thorough documentation is crucial to ensuring you receive full coverage for your losses, whether you are filing an insurance claim or a personal injury claim. You will need the following:
- Photos of property damage, preferably from multiple angles
- Receipts for the repair or replacement of personal property
- A copy of all pages of your insurance policy
- Estimates or quotes for property repairs and replacements
- Receipts showing the costs of temporary housing
- Medical records for injuries related to the fire
- Pay stubs and documentation of time missed at work
- Financial records showing business income losses
Our experienced California fire attorneys can determine the specific documentation you will need and help you obtain it.
How long will it take to resolve my claim?
The insurance claim could take a few weeks to several months, depending on the number of claims your insurer receives and whether the company operates in good faith. The difference in whether your claim is resolved in weeks or months may hinge on whether you need to file a lawsuit to dispute a denied or undervalued claim.
A lawsuit against the parties responsible could take several months or years to resolve, depending on the willingness of the parties to take responsibility. We understand how important it is to receive compensation as soon as possible so you can start rebuilding your life. We will expedite the process by submitting the necessary documents as quickly as possible and using skilled, aggressive negotiation techniques.
What should I do if State Farm has canceled my fire insurance?
In April 2024, State Farm, one of the biggest insurers in California, canceled thousands of homeowners’ policies in the same area now being ravaged by wildfires. The insurer canceled 72,000 California policies—nearly 8,000 of which were for homes in the Palisades fire zone and more than 500 of which were in the Eaton fire zone. State Farm said it cut wildfire coverage for these homes to avoid losing money from wildfire risks, but homeowners are now finding it difficult to acquire coverage for fires.
However, on January 15, State Farm announced a plan to offer renewals to any policyholder affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires, estimating that the renewals will apply to roughly 70 percent of the policies not renewed last year. If you had or still have State Farm homeowners insurance, an attorney can help you determine whether your wildfire coverage is still in place.
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Our Office Locations
Sacramento Office
401 Watt Avenue Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95864
Phone: 916-290-9400
Oakland Office
Cutter Law P.C.
1999 Harrison Street Suite 1400
Oakland, CA 94612
