Lawyers and members of the LA Fire Justice organization called on the Latino community to file their legal claims in a timely manner against Southern California Edison (SCE), the company responsible for the deadly Eaton Fire in January 2025 that claimed the lives of 19 people and reduced 9,000 homes, structures and businesses to ashes.

The deadline for any surviving individual, documented and undocumented, homeowner or renter to file a legal claim expires on January 7, 2027.

The fire began on the afternoon of January 7, 2025, in Eaton Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains, and strong gusts from the Santa Ana fire pushed the flames toward communities in the foothills, particularly Altadena. It was the fifth deadliest and second most destructive wildfire in California history. The fire was completely contained on January 31, after having burned for 24 days.

"It's been more than a year since the fire destroyed homes, lives and businesses. But for many Latino families, the fire did not end when the flames went out," stated attorney Maribel Medina, of LA Fire Justice. "They are still fighting. Maybe they lost their home, their businesses, their belongings, their sense of security and maybe they feel that no one is fighting for them... but we have not forgotten them," he added.

LA Fire Justice, a coalition comprised of Los Angeles wildfire attorneys, was the first to identify an abandoned transmission tower as the source of the fire.

Using 3D photogrammetry, fire origin and cause experts performed physical scans of Eaton Canyon and built a detailed digital model that identifies the exact point of origin: Tower 208, a Southern California Edison transmission tower that had been out of service for more than 50 years.

“Edison knew that inactive towers posed a danger,” members of LA Fire Justice said.

After the 2019 Kincade Fire, PG&E was fined $40 million for a fire started on an abandoned line and Edison took no action to remove its dormant tower in Eaton Canyon.

LA Fire Justice maintains that Southern California Edison is responsible for the disaster, and its attorneys and experts are building the case to prove it.

Elvia Soto, LA Fire Justice community representative and Eaton Fire survivor, who lost her own home, is now working to ensure her neighbors receive the help they need and deserve.

“I know what it feels like to lose everything and not know where to turn,” Soto said. "I know fear. I know pain and loss. And I know what it means to have someone sit in front of you and say, we're here, we see you, and we're going to fight for you. That's what today is about. No one should go through this alone."

Few Latinos have made legal claims

Although Altadena's total population was 42,777 in 2025 and 27% of that total were Latino residents, only a small percentage [approximately 150 to 200] have filed individual lawsuits against SCE, one of the largest electric companies in the United States, responsible for supplying power to millions of people in southern, central and coastal California.

The lawyer could not disclose the amount of the offers that SCE has presented to the victims, "because everything depends on whether the person lost their home completely, whether they rented or the number of people who lived there, among other factors."

However, he said SCE is offering amounts that would not be enough for families to rebuild their homes and lives.

“You are giving them an amount that is equivalent to about 50% of the current cost to rebuild a home,” he indicated. "Also, payments for emotional damages are important; if families have children or minors. They also have the legal right to receive compensation."

The lawyer warned the Latino community not to sign agreements with SCE, particularly where there is a clause that establishes that, if they receive money or any compensation, they are disqualified from filing a legal claim after they sign the document.

“That is a pretty harsh clause,” he stressed, while criticizing the electricity company for having given compensation of $16.6 million this year to president and CEO Pedro J. Pizarro.

Therefore, he emphasized that it is important for the Latino community to know their rights if they suffered damage from the smoke of the Eaton fire, if they were a homeowner, if they rented, or if any Altadena resident suffered any emotional damage due to the incident.

He added that immigration status does not represent any impediment to being compensated through a legal claim.

“No one should live in fear for trying to exercise their rights,” said lawyer Medina. "Even if the person has already made an insurance claim, they can still qualify for more money. Edison, who caused the fire, wants the silence of the Latino community. But we are not going to remain silent."

“Justice for all”

Armando Ramírez, co-owner of the El Portal restaurant, along with his father Abel, tearfully recalled the nightmare they experienced on January 7, 2025.

“We had to attend an important party and we got a call because they wanted to locate my father,” said Armando. “They told us that there was a candle [fire] above their house…my mother [Rosalia Ramírez, 74 years old] was alone.”

When he decided to go to protect his mother, the fire was stronger. They took as much as they could with them, but Armando stayed to “save” the house, spraying it with a hose.

As he had agreed with his father, Don Javier could no longer warn him of the danger.

“Dad, tell us when you see the fire passing over the mountain,” had been the agreement with Don Abel.

Suddenly there was no warning.

Armando and his friend Mario decided to leave the scene, and found Don Abel taking photos on the street.

A firefighter and the police warned them: “Leave, your life is worth more than your house!”

“I clearly remember that the trunk of a burning tree fell next to me,” said Armando Ramírez.

Fortunately, his father's house did not burn down. In fact, it was the only one on Carriage House Road left standing. Between six and seven homes were reduced to rubble.

The next day, Don Abel, 84, was able to confirm that his house, where he had lived for more than four decades, had only suffered slight damage from water and smoke.

And, now, amidst the litigation that has been initiated against SCE, I express that I expect justice.

"I hope that justice is not just for me, but for all those affected. It is fair and necessary," he said.

SCE makes payments to more than 1,200 community members for the Eaton Fire

Southern California Edison announced payments made to more than 1,200 individual Eaton Fire claimants through the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program.

“Each payment represents a step forward for someone after the Eaton Fire,” said Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, SCE's parent company. “We remain focused on advancing claims in the most efficient and considered manner possible, recognizing the importance of timely support to recovery.”

Offers and fast payments

The Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program was created to offer compensation on par with the settlement values ​​of similar claims in past wildfire lawsuits, in a more streamlined and faster approach than a court action.

This program covers homeowner and tenant claims for total or partial loss of structures, loss of commercial property, business interruption, damage not directly caused by fire (such as smoke, soot, or ash), physical injuries, and loss of life.

How to file a claim

• To file a claim and access detailed guidance in English and Spanish, visit the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program website.

• For personalized assistance in multiple languages, call 888-912-8528. In-person appointments are also available to guide claimants through the requirements and help them begin the process.

• For firms representing multiple eligible claimants, a bulk intake process is available. Email the team to get started.

• Offers are provided within 90 days of the submission of a properly documented and substantially complete claim. More than 70% of the offers have been accepted, and more are pending resolution.

• Payments are made within 30 days once all conditions stipulated in the settlement agreement have been met.

• Many offers and payments are being processed in a fraction of that time.

• The program is voluntary and will be available until November 30, 2026.

Those who need help following up on an existing claim, getting a status update, or receiving assistance filing a new claim are encouraged to contact the dedicated support team at 888-912-8528.

Do you need legal help?

Those interested can call (626) 684-3315 or visit 221 E. Walnut St., Suite 100. Pasadena, CA 91101

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