Edison Sets Nov. 30 Deadline for Eaton Fire Claims
Southern California Edison's Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program closes claim filings on Nov. 30 for Eaton Fire survivors.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Utilities
Southern California Edison has set a Nov. 30 deadline for claims under its Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program covering the Eaton Fire. Accepting a compensation offer requires survivors to settle and release their legal claims against the utility.
Why it matters
The deadline forces a choice for fire survivors between a faster utility payout and continuing litigation that remains pending in court. Edison's program totals and the upcoming bellwether trial will shape how residents weigh those options.
Edison's program has received more than 5,300 claims and made offers totaling almost $1.1 billion, with payments exceeding $580 million so far. The utility has not yet said how the pending bellwether litigation will affect future offers.
The players
Southern California Edison
Southern California Edison is the electric utility serving much of Southern California and operator of the equipment linked to the Eaton Fire, and it runs the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program.
The details
Survivors who accept a compensation offer must settle and release their legal claims, while filing by the Nov. 30 cutoff leaves those rights intact. The pending litigation covers deaths, injuries, and property damage from the fire, and Edison has asked to delay the first bellwether trial.
Timeline
Oct. 20: Edison announced claim and payment figures for the program.
Nov. 30: Deadline for filing claims with Edison's compensation program.
January 2027: First bellwether Eaton Fire trial is currently scheduled.
Legal Context
The Nov. 30 deadline runs alongside the Eaton Fire lawsuits, which concern deaths, injuries, and property damage in Southern California. Survivors choosing between a utility offer and continued litigation face a trade-off that the upcoming bellwether trial may reshape.
Eaton Fire survivors who want compensation from Edison should file claims by Nov. 30. Accepting an offer requires settling and releasing legal claims, so consulting an attorney before signing is advisable.
The takeaway
Filing a claim by the deadline preserves options, but accepting an offer ends the right to sue. Weighing a settlement against the outcome of the January 2027 trial is the key decision for survivors.
What happens next
Claims to Edison's Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program must be filed by Nov. 30, and the first bellwether Eaton Fire trial is currently scheduled for January 2027.
Further reading
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