Brockovich Group Sues Over LA Fire Alert Failure in 18 Deaths

A communications contractor for Los Angeles County was blamed in a lawsuit for 18 deaths in a January wildfire over its alleged failure to evacuate residents in the path of the inferno.

Genasys Inc. was accused of “digital redlining” for failing to send timely warnings to residents of a moderate-income, historically African American neighborhood in Altadena where the fatalities occurred during the wind-whipped blaze that started on Jan. 7.

Monday’s complaint was filed by a group of lawyers representing victims of the Eaton Fire who are separately suing Edison International Inc.’s local utility over claims that its equipment ignited the fire. The lawyers, who include Mikal Watts and Douglas Boxer, have partnered with consultant Erin Brockovich, who is best known for her success fighting California utility giant PG&E Corp. in court in the 1990s over water contamination, a battle later depicted in an Academy Award-winning film starring Julia Roberts.

The sister of a woman who died in the Eaton Fire said in her suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court that evacuation orders weren’t issued until several hours after the blaze swept into the Altadena neighborhood. A 19th person who died didn’t live in the area targeted in the suit.

Southern California Edison, which was named as a defendant in the suit, is reviewing it and will respond through the legal process, spokesperson Jeff Monford said.

“We understand the tremendous impacts on the community, and our hearts are with everyone who was affected by the Southern California wildfires,” Monford said in a phone call.

Representatives of Genasys and Los Angeles County didn’t immediately comment to requests for comment.

In July, Southern California Edison announced it would set up a compensation program for victims of the Eaton Fire. Monford said 675 victims of the Eaton Fire have filed claims through the program as of last week.

The utility has been the subject of scores of lawsuits. While authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire, Edison’s chief executive officer has acknowledged that the company’s equipment will likely be found to have triggered the blaze, which destroyed thousands of structures.

Lawyers for Edison have told the judge overseeing those cases that they are investigating public agencies and private entities that are “potentially culpable” for the fire and the company anticipates adding them to the legal process.

In Hawaii, victims of the deadly Lahaina Fire in 2023 sued Maui County, claiming the failure to sound sirens to warn residents led to deaths. Those claims were resolved as part of a $4 billion settlement that awaits final court approval.

Top photo: Vehicles burn during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California on Jan. 8.