The award that ultimately gets paid to homeowners in Altadena and Pacific Palisades will ultimately be very individual given the mass tort nature of the litigation. But if we look at the precedent, the PG&E settlement, we can see that it will be very moderate. The settlement between Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and victims of several California wildfires, including the 2018 Camp Fire, totaled $13.5 billion. This compensation was intended to address the extensive damages and losses suffered by the victims.
Approximately 70,000 fire victims filed claims to receive compensation from this settlement. This equates to an average payout of around $192,857 per claimant.
However, it’s essential to note that individual compensation amounts varied significantly based on the specific damages and losses each claimant experienced. Some reports indicate that certain victims received average payments of approximately $13,000. This disparity underscores the individualized nature of the claims process, where factors such as property damage, personal injury, and other losses were assessed on a case-by-case basis.
As of November 1, 2022, the Fire Victim Trust had disbursed approximately $5.36 billion in settlement awards to compensate survivors of the 2015 Butte, 2017 North Bay, and 2018 Camp Fires. The Trust continues to process and distribute funds to eligible claimants, aiming to address the financial hardships endured by the wildfire victims.
In summary, while the total settlement amount was substantial, individual payouts varied widely, reflecting the diverse nature of the claims and the specific circumstances of each victim. But with the county, city, and other organizations organizing lawsuits in addition to individuals, the viability of SCE remains in question.