This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
Lawsuit claims company behind Eaton Fire evacuation warnings was negligent
Apartments in Altadena during the Eaton Fire.
(
Jon Putman
/
Anadolu via Getty Images
)
Listen
0:46
Lawsuit claims company behind Eaton Fire evacuation warnings was negligent
The family of a woman who died in the fire says she got the warnings too late
Topline:
The family of Stacey Darden, who died in the Eaton Fire, has filed a lawsuit claiming that Genasys Inc., hired by L.A. County to provide evacuation warnings, was negligent that night. While it provided warnings in enough time to the houses on the east of Lake Avenue, they came too late for those on the west, her lawyers say.
Why it matters: The Eaton Fire in January led to 19 deaths, 18 of them west of Lake Avenue. It’s the first lawsuit targeting the alerts system in Altadena, according to a spokesperson for L.A. Fire Justice, the law firm behind the lawsuit.
Second company sued: The lawsuit also accuses SoCal Edison of negligence in the maintenance of its transmission equipment and the clearing of vegetation around its transmission facilities.
The backstory: Texas-based lawyer Mikal Watts helped file this latest suit. See a copy of the it here. The defendants are seeking a jury trial and unspecified damages.
What's next: Genasys Inc. did not reply to a request for comment. SoCal Edison spokesperson Jeff Monford told LAist: “We are reviewing the lawsuit that has been filed and will respond through the legal process.”
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
