Hygiene Companies Face Class Actions Over Alleged Failure to Properly Test Homes for Toxins After Eaton Wildfire
Michelle Meyers, Partner at Singleton Schreiber, was featured by The Recorder in an article titled “Hygiene Companies Face Novel Class Actions Over Eaton Wildfire Contamination Assessments,” published on February 27, 2026.
Meyers represents plaintiffs in two proposed class actions related to the January 2025 Eaton wildfire. One case, Ghazarian v. Fire Insurance Exchange, was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The lawsuits claim that insurance companies and the hygiene firms they hired did not properly assess smoke, ash, and heavy metal contamination at affected properties.
These cases bring new claims against both insurers and third-party hygiene vendors, accusing them of negligent inspections and violating California Business and Professions Code §17200. The lawsuits focus on whether the wildfire contamination assessments met industry standards and if the findings influenced the extent of cleanup and insurance coverage for homeowners.
“What our issue has been is, I think there ... should be an unbiased group, and they should do this testing and ... make their findings and give homeowners the opportunity to make a reasonable and informed decision about whether or not they want to live in the home with these toxins,” Meyers said.
A subscription is required to view.
