The Pasadena Unified School District is suing Southern California Edison, seeking compensation for damages to its facilities and for disruption of operations related to the Eaton Fire.
The filing details extensive damage to facilities including Franklin Elementary School, Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School, the Edison Elementary campus (housing Odyssey Charter School), the Loma Alta Elementary campus (housing Pasadena Rosebud Academy and Oak Knoll Montessori School), and the Noyes Elementary campus (housing Aveson School of Leaders).
The lawsuit contends that photographic evidence and SCE’s regulatory filings acknowledging electrical system anomalies coincided with the Eaton Fire’s ignition location and time. The filing also claims SCE was aware there was a Red Flag Warning for extreme winds issued on the morning of January 7th and the company failed to de-energize electrical transmission lines located in Eaton Canyon.
“The destruction of multiple schools and educational facilities has created an immense burden on students, families, and the entire educational community,” said John Fiske, of Baron & Budd P.C., outside counsel representing Pasadena Unified. “This lawsuit seeks fair compensation to recover the taxpayer resources and district property lost as a result of this devastating fire.”
The complaint includes claims for inverse condemnation, negligence, trespass, nuisance, premises liability, and violations of Public Utilities and Health & Safety Codes. It addresses both direct fire damage and the subsequent costs of managing post-fire environmental hazards, emergency response, and infrastructure restoration.
The District is represented by outside counsel John Fiske, Torri Sherlin, and Taylor O’Neal of Baron & Budd P.C., and Ed Diab, Rob Chambers, and Kristen Barton of Diab Chambers LLP.
Related Eaton Fire lawsuits using the same legal team include Los Angeles County, the City of Pasadena and the City of Sierra Madre.
