PASADENA, Calif. — A mass tort lawsuit has been filed against Southern California Edison (SCE) by KJT Law Group in collaboration with former Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley and Parris Law Firm. The suit claims that SCE’s failure to take precautionary measures led to the catastrophic Eaton Fire, which began on January 7, 2025. The blaze, still raging, has destroyed over 7,000 structures and taken 16 lives while ravaging more than 14,000 acres in the Altadena and Pasadena areas.
Caspar Jivalagian, a founding partner at KJT Law Group who grew up in Pasadena, expressed deep personal and professional commitment to the case. He emphasized the need for accountability, saying, “Seeing this tragedy unfold in my hometown is unimaginable. We demand to know how and why this was not prevented.”
The lawsuit centers around allegations that So-Cal Edison was aware of the impending strong winds but failed to secure its power structures adequately. This negligence is accused of igniting one of Southern California’s most severe and dangerous wildfires. Though the exact cause of the fire is still officially undetermined, several eyewitnesses reported that the fire started near a power structure.
The devastation experienced by the community was captured in one resident’s harrowing account: as flames swiftly descended the mountains, families had little time to react, resulting in entire streets being reduced to ashes with only a handful of buildings left standing.
This disaster is one of four major fires facilitated by strong Santa Ana winds that recently tormented the Greater Los Angeles area. Adding to the distress, the region is also witnessing an exodus of insurance providers. Many homeowners found themselves without fire insurance coverage, as it had lapsed on December 31, 2024, and renewals were not available.
Jivalagian further stated his commitment to aid those affected, regardless of their insurance status, reflecting a personal connection to the crisis with his brother actively fighting the blaze as a local firefighter. “This is personal for us,” he stated, underlining the intent to support the community beyond mere legal obligations.
KJT Law Group has been an active participant in advocating for social justice since its inception in 2014. Located in Los Angeles, the firm’s attorneys have tackled a range of complex legal issues involving personal injury, wrongful death, workers’ compensation, employment law, and medical malpractice.
As the community of Pasadena and Altadena continues to confront this immense challenge, legal actions like those taken by KJT Law Group highlight the critical intersections of corporate responsibility, community safety, and legal accountability in times of disaster.
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