(619) 230-0330
Key Takeaways
- The Southern California Edison (SCE) Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program offers voluntary, direct payments to people and businesses harmed by the January 2025 Eaton Fire; it is open through November 30, 2026.
- Eligible claimants include owners, tenants, businesses, the injured, and the families of those who died as a result of the Eaton Fire.
- Accepting an offer means signing a settlement and giving up your right to sue SCE over the fire – so it is worth having a lawyer review the offer first.
- You may still pursue a claim even if your insurance already paid, for losses your policy did not fully cover (subject to subrogation).
- A lawyer can review an offer or pursue litigation – typically on contingency, with no fee unless you recover.
The January 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires
In January 2025, two catastrophic fires tore through Los Angeles County. The Eaton Fire devastated Altadena and parts of Pasadena, and the Palisades Fire struck the Pacific Palisades area. Together they destroyed thousands of homes and businesses and took dozens of lives. Investigations have focused on whether utility equipment played a role – for the Eaton Fire, attention has centered on Southern California Edison (SCE). If you were harmed, you may be able to file a Los Angeles wildfire compensation claim to help rebuild.
The compensation paths differ by fire. This guide focuses on the Eaton Fire and the SCE Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program; Palisades Fire victims generally pursue separate claims involving different parties.
Whichever fire affected you, start gathering documentation now: photos and video of the damage, an inventory of lost belongings, receipts and repair estimates, insurance policies and correspondence, and any medical records. Strong documentation is the foundation of every wildfire compensation claim, whether you go through the program or to court.
What Is the SCE Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program?
The SCE Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program is a voluntary program created by Southern California Edison to provide faster, direct payments to those affected by the Eaton Fire, as an alternative to traditional litigation. Participation is optional, and any offer can be accepted or declined. The Southern California Edison Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program was designed with input from nationally recognized compensation experts Kenneth Feinberg and Camille Biros, and an independent organization (RAND) reviewed how property values were assessed.
Claims are filed online at sce.com/claimsform or with one-on-one help by calling 888-912-8528. The program is open through November 30, 2026. Importantly, participating does not mean SCE has admitted fault – it is offered as a faster settlement option.
Who Is Eligible for Wildfire Recovery Compensation?
The Edison wildfire recovery compensation program is open to those harmed by the Eaton Fire, including:
- Owners and tenants of eligible properties (excluding very short-term rentals).
- Businesses that owned or occupied an eligible property.
- Individuals who suffered physical injuries directly caused by the Eaton Fire.
- Personal representatives of the estates of those who died as a result of the fire.
Eligibility is tied to the Eaton Fire’s footprint and dates. If you are unsure whether you qualify, a brief consultation can help you confirm before you invest time in a claim.
How the Program Works
The program is built around a streamlined, four-step process:
- Prepare your documents – ID, proof of ownership or tenancy, square footage, and insurance information.
- Submit your claim online or with phone assistance, uploading your documents.
- Await review – SCE evaluates the claim and calculates a settlement offer, generally within about 90 days of a substantially complete submission.
- Receive payment – if you accept the offer and sign a settlement agreement, payment generally follows within about 30 days.
Offers can include several components, which is why two claims for similar property can look different:
|
Component |
What it covers |
|---|---|
|
Economic loss |
Property damage, loss of use, business interruption, and physical injury. |
|
Non-economic loss |
Personal impacts such as emotional distress and pain and suffering. |
|
Direct Claim Premium |
An added amount offered only through the program, not in litigation. |
|
Attorney fees |
If you are represented when you file, SCE adds 20% to the net damages portion toward legal costs. |
Simple claims move through a Fast Pay track, while more complex losses can go through a Detailed Review. Either way, you are not charged a fee by SCE to participate, and you remain free to walk away if the offer does not work for you.
SCE Program vs. a Lawsuit: Which Is Right for You?
The program’s appeal is speed and certainty. The trade-off is finality: to accept an offer, you sign a settlement agreement and give up the right to sue SCE over the fire. That makes the decision to accept – and the amount offered – very important.
This is the single biggest reason to talk to a lawyer before signing. An attorney can tell you whether an offer reflects the full scope of your losses, including future and hard-to-value harms, or whether an individual lawsuit may recover more. Litigation can take longer and carries no guarantee, but for serious losses it can be worth it. You can have an attorney review your offer even if you started the claim on your own; represented claimants must file through their attorney.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Whether through the program or a lawsuit, wildfire compensation can cover far more than the structure itself, including:
- Real and personal property loss, plus loss of use of your home.
- Business interruption and lost income.
- Non-burn damage such as smoke, soot, and ash.
- Medical expenses and physical injuries.
- Emotional distress and pain and suffering (sometimes called annoyance and discomfort damages).
- Wrongful death, for families who lost a loved one.
Receiving an insurance payout does not necessarily end your options. You may still pursue a claim for losses your policy did not fully cover – though your insurer may assert subrogation rights. Serious injuries and wrongful death claims in particular often involve damages well beyond property limits.
Deadlines You Cannot Miss
Two clocks are running. The SCE program is open only through November 30, 2026. Separately, California’s statute of limitations generally gives wildfire victims about two years from the fire to file a personal injury or property-damage lawsuit, though the exact deadline depends on the type of claim and who is responsible. Because missing a deadline can end your claim entirely, it is best to learn your timeline early.
Other Wildfire Recovery Resources
Beyond the program and litigation, LA wildfire victims may also use homeowners or renters insurance, the California Wildfire Fund for utility-caused fires, and government aid such as FEMA and Los Angeles County relief programs. These options can work alongside – not necessarily instead of – a claim against a responsible party, which is another reason it helps to map out your full picture with a professional.
How Banker’s Hill Law Firm Can Help
Recovering from a wildfire is overwhelming, and the decisions – whether to accept an SCE offer, whether to sue, how to value your losses – carry real consequences. At Banker’s Hill Law Firm, A.P.C., we can review an offer before you sign, help document your full losses, and pursue the compensation you are owed. We work on contingency, so there is no fee unless we recover for you. With the program’s November 30, 2026 deadline approaching, don’t wait – call (619) 230-0330 or request a free case review.
