News
California insurance regulator launches investigation into State Farm over claims from LA fires
“State Farm is unjustly denying legitimate smoke damage claims, forcing families already harmed by the Eaton and Palisades fires to make the impossible choice of living in toxic homes or paying tens of thousands out of pocket for remediation. We stand ready to hold State Farm accountable,” Kiley Grombacher, co-founder of the California Fire Victims Law Center, said in a statement.
Homeowner Sues FAIR Plan Over Denied Eaton Fire Claim
An Altadena homeowner is suing California FAIR Plan for denying a fire damage claim filed the day after his policy began. “We are seeing a clear and troubling pattern with the FAIR Plan systematically delaying, denying and, in the case of our client William Hutchinson, outright rejecting valid wildfire claims,” said Kiley L. Grombacher, the attorney representing the homeowner.
'There Is No Safe Level for Lead:' Edison Sued for Allegedly Causing 'Deadly' Lead Exposure in Children After Eaton Fire
Edison faces a class action over toxic exposure linked to the Eaton Fire, brought by the California Fire Victims Law Center. " I've been in fire areas before, but this is unlike anything you've ever seen," Kiley Grombacher, one of the plaintiff's attorneys, said. "The devastation is just so much more apparent and striking. We reached out to experts and we started to dig more, and we found out about the amount of contamination just in this area and, frankly, how far even outside of the immediate fire area it spread."
Palisades fire victims seek court order forcing FAIR Plan to turn over claims documents
A lawsuit filed by an Altadena homeowner against the FAIR Plan alleges bad faith and breach of contract, noting unsafe levels of lead in residual ash. “I want to get him full relief so he can rebuild his life,” attorney Bryan Aylstock said. “He paid the premiums. He deserves that, and it’s a shame that so far he hasn’t gotten it.”
SoCal Edison Sued Over Eaton Fire Toxins That Harm Kids
Eaton Fire victims filed another class action against Southern California Edison alleging families and young children were exposed to dangerous toxins. "Scientific evidence shows these toxins traveled far beyond the fire zone, settling into places families believed were safe," Kiley Grombacher said. "Now, those families are facing a future of uncertainty, fear and potential long-term health consequences. Through this lawsuit, we are fighting to ensure these families receive the support they need, and that Southern California Edison is held accountable for the harm its negligence has caused."
Edison accused of lead, asbestos contamination from Eaton Fire
“The full extent of the damage of the Eaton Fire is only beginning to emerge,” Kiley Grombacher wrote in the complaint. “Thousands of houses, cars, tires, buildings containing lead paint and asbestos, and appliances, have burned, contributing to the toxic smoke that has settled on the community in the form of ash and debris. Structures that at first glance appear to have been spared from the flames are in fact unfit for human habitation,” she continued.
Edison Utility Sued Over L.A. Wildfire Child Lead Exposure
A proposed class action filed by a South Pasadena resident, represented by Bryan Aylstock and Kiley Grombacher, alleges Southern California Edison’s equipment caused the Eaton Fire, exposing children to toxic lead and asbestos. The suit cites new tests linking contamination in Altadena, Pasadena, and South Pasadena homes to the fire’s smoke and ash, and seeks medical monitoring for affected children.
Edison hit with lawsuit saying Eaton fire exposed people to toxic substances
Southern California Edison faces another lawsuit over toxic exposure tied to the Eaton Fire, filed by the California Fire Victims Law Center. “No level of lead exposure is safe, especially for children where even the lowest levels can cause permanent damage to developing brains and long-term health,” said Kiley Grombacher, one of the lawyers bringing the suit. “This public health crisis could have been prevented had Southern California Edison fulfilled basic safety obligations to properly maintain its electrical infrastructure.”
Fire victims with smoke, chemical damage not covered by CA insurers
"Six billion pounds of toxic material was released when it came to these fires, and 10,000 structures were in the fire zone that remain. Those structures are contaminated with toxic materials," said attorney Bryan Aylstock. "There is no safe limit when it comes to children and lead... These homes are simply uninhabitable. And unfortunately, insurance companies aren't stepping up to the plate. They're using technicalities to say, 'No, we're not going to pay for remediation,'" said Aylstock.