Managing Partner Gerald Singleton recently published an article in the Daily Journal focusing on Southern California Edison's compensation plan and its impact on fire victims.
In his November 6, 2025, Daily Journal article, Managing Partner and Lead Attorney Gerald Singleton argues that Southern California Edison’s revised out-of-court settlement plan for fire survivors is fundamentally unfair and designed to minimize compensation rather than make victims whole. Despite claims of expanded eligibility, Singleton contends that the program lacks neutrality, transparency, and legal grounding. Unlike prior California wildfire resolutions, where plaintiffs’ lawyers and utilities jointly negotiated mediation protocols or neutrals like retired Justice John Trotter oversaw fair systems, Edison has unilaterally created and will administer its own process, without court oversight or plaintiff input.
Mr. Singleton criticizes Edison’s “take-it-or-leave-it” approach and its reliance on Ken Feinberg, who neither designed nor runs the program and lacks experience with California wildfires. He says the plan undervalues damages, excludes key categories of property loss, and deducts full insurance amounts even when victims never receive those funds. Comparatively, Eaton Fire survivors will receive far less than PG&E’s Camp Fire victims, even though PG&E was bankrupt and Edison is profitable and backed by the $38-billion California Wildfire Fund.
Mr. Singleton also accuses Edison of unethical conduct, including improper communications with represented plaintiffs and false claims that litigants cannot recover attorney fees, in violation of California Rule of Professional Conduct 4.2. He argues that Edison is exploiting trial delays to pressure victims into settlements worth only 30–50% of fair value.
Furthermore, Mr. Singleton calls Edison’s program “a joke,” urges regulators to reclaim Wildfire Fund payments, and asserts that Edison’s repeated negligence shows it should be replaced with a non-profit utility prioritizing safety and fairness over shareholder profit.
