SCE Compensation Program FAQ
October 28, 2025
During recent conversations with survivors of the Eaton Fire, questions have emerged regarding the uncertainty of the SCE Compensation Program. We’ve answered some of the most common questions below.
Does accepting an offer from the SCE Compensation Program affect my rights to sue SCE?
Yes, accepting an offer from the program will prevent you from pursuing future litigation against SCE related to the Eaton Fire.
This means you may miss out on a significant amount of compensation that you would otherwise recover through filing an SCE lawsuit.
How does the program work?
According to the drafted proposal, participants will receive some compensation for certain claims, including for lost real and personal property and emotional distress. However, the amounts they will receive appear to be less than they could potentially get in a lawsuit and some categories of damage (such as landscaping damage) are excluded.
One concern is that SCE appears to have full control over the eligibility and administration of the program. In other words, there is no neutral third-party that will review claims submitted by survivors of the Eaton Fire and who will administer the program fairly.
Additionally, the drafted protocol does not provide sufficient detail about what proof is required to access different parts of the program or how SCE will determine eligibility.
Is the SCE compensation program finalized?
The program is not finalized. Our attorneys have requested several changes to better protect Eaton Fire survivors, including:
- Oversight by a judge with significant experience in fire lawsuits to ensure a neutral review of the process;
- 3rd party administration program. SCE controls all the parameters of the program and our attorneys are not convinced that SCE has the expertise to administer claims through this program in a fair or effective manner.
Can I find out what the SCE Compensation Program will offer me first, and then file a lawsuit if the offer isn’t enough?
Yes. You can pursue a claim for compensation through the SCE Compensation Program first, although we recommend hiring a lawyer to properly advise you through this process.
After reviewing the proposed offer, if you feel the amount isn’t fair or doesn’t cover your losses, you can still file a lawsuit against SCE. If, however, you accept the compensation offer from the Compensation Program and release your legal claims against SCE, you will be barred from filing a lawsuit for your losses from the Eaton Fire.
How does SCE determine compensation amounts under the Compensation Program?
The program offers standardized, non-negotiable amounts. In other words, compensation is uniform and doesn’t sufficiently account for each family’s unique situation. For example, non-economic damages, such as emotional distress, are also fixed and cannot be negotiated.
SCE plans to calculate payments using county tax assessor records to estimate property values and losses. However, these records often underestimate the value of the property and lead to a lower payout amount.
Learn More about our Eaton Fire Lawsuit against SCE:
At this point, SCE has not finalized the details of this program. When our legal team knows more details about the program, we are happy to consult with individuals affected by the Eaton Fire and discuss the best course of action for your unique situation.
To get in contact with our team, email lafires@classlawgroup.com or call 626-669-4886.