Pasadena Unified School District sues SoCal Edison over Eaton Fire
The Pasadena Unified School District joined the list of public institutions suing SoCal Edison, seeking to have the utility company pay for the campuses damaged during the Eaton Fire.
With help from "life-threatening" 100 mph wind gusts, the wildfire quickly spread through neighborhoods in Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre. In a matter of days, the Eaton Fire became the second most destructive fire in California history after it destroyed 9,418 buildings and damaged roughly 1,000 more, including six PUSD schools:
- Franklin Elementary
- Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School
- Odyssey Charter School
- Pasadena Rosebud Academy
- Oak Knoll Montessori School
- Aveson School of Leaders
"The destruction of multiple schools and educational facilities has created an immense burden on students, families, and the entire educational community," said John Fiske, a shareholder at Baron & Budd P.C., outside counsel representing the District. "This lawsuit seeks fair compensation to recover the taxpayer resources and district property lost as a result of this devastating fire."
The district claims that the wildfire started near a SoCal Edison transmission tower, similar to the lawsuit Baron & Budd P.C. and Diab Chambers LLP filed on March 5 on behalf of Los Angeles County, the city of Pasadena, and the city of Sierra Madre.
"The lawsuit seeks to address the devastating impacts this fire has had on the District's educational infrastructure and the significant losses sustained in the wake of the Eaton Fire," said Ed Diab, a founding partner of Diab Chambers LLP, who is also representing the District in this matter.
In the earlier lawsuit, LA County alleges that SoCal Edison's electrical equipment came into contact with highly flammable vegetation, and the utility had allegedly "negligently failed to maintain vegetation within prescribed California regulations and law" as the state has regulations on how this terrain must be cleared when within a certain distance of power lines and electrical equipment.
"Our hearts are with the communities affected by the wildfires in Southern California. We are reviewing the lawsuits that were recently filed and will address them through the appropriate legal process," SoCal Edison said in a statement following the initial lawsuit.
