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Mass Torts
Articles in the Mass Torts category.
Mass Torts
May 2, 2026
Maui and Eaton: Two Wildfires, Two Approaches to Mass-Tort Coordination
The Lahaina and Eaton wildfires produced two of the most consequential mass-tort proceedings of the past several years. A short comparison of how the two proceedings have unfolded and what each has shown about coordinated wildfire litigation.
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Mass Torts
Apr 25, 2026
Maui Settlement Distribution Update: Where Things Stand in 2026
Roughly two and a half years after the Lahaina fire and twenty months after the global settlement framework, distribution work continues. A status note for survivors on what to expect, what to watch for, and where representation continues to add value.
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Mass Torts
Apr 14, 2026
Loss of Use, Evacuation, and Smoke Damage: The Less Obvious Eaton Damages
Many Eaton fire claimants think of property loss and personal injury, but the less-obvious damage categories — loss of use, evacuation expenses, smoke and ash damage to undestroyed homes — frequently make up a substantial share of allocation. A short overview.
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Mass Torts
Mar 31, 2026
The Eaton JCCP: How a California Coordinated Proceeding Works
California's Judicial Council Coordinated Proceeding mechanism is what makes a coordinated wildfire mass tort possible. A short walkthrough of what a JCCP is, how it differs from a class action, and what it means for an individual Eaton fire claimant.
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Mass Torts
Mar 17, 2026
Eaton Fire Property Damage vs. Personal Injury: How the Claims Differ
Property-damage claims and personal-injury claims arising out of the Eaton fire are evaluated under different rules, on different timelines, and through different evidence. A short walkthrough of the differences and how they fit together when both apply.
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Mass Torts
Mar 3, 2026
What to Document if You Were Affected by the Eaton Fire
For Eaton fire survivors, the documentation work matters enormously at the allocation stage. A practical checklist of what to gather, organize, and keep — for property loss, personal injury, business interruption, and wrongful death.
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Mass Torts
Feb 17, 2026
Filing Deadlines for Eaton Fire Survivors
California's two-year personal-injury statute and the six-month government-claims deadline both apply to Eaton fire claims. A short overview of which deadlines run, what tolls them, and where survivors most often miss them.
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Mass Torts
Jan 20, 2026
Southern California Edison and the Eaton Cases: A Defendant Snapshot
Southern California Edison is the principal defendant in the Eaton wildfire litigation. A short snapshot of the company's role, the principal allegations, and the company's posture as the proceeding advances.
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Mass Torts
Jan 6, 2026
One Year After the Eaton Fire: Litigation Status and What Comes Next
One year on from the Eaton wildfire, the proceeding is in active discovery and motion practice. A short status update for survivors and their families on where the litigation stands and what the next year is likely to look like.
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Mass Torts
Dec 23, 2025
The Eaton Fire, Eleven Months Later: An Early Litigation Snapshot
The January 2025 Eaton wildfire devastated Altadena and surrounding communities. Eleven months on, the litigation has begun in earnest. A short snapshot of where things stand and what survivors should be thinking about as the one-year mark approaches.
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Mass Torts
Dec 9, 2025
Estate Issues After a Wildfire: When the Decedent Was a Survivor
Mass-tort wildfire proceedings often outlast some of the people they were meant to help. A short overview of what happens when a survivor dies before allocation, and how families can navigate the intersection of probate, trust administration, and ongoing settlement participation.
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Mass Torts
Nov 25, 2025
Wildfire Settlements and Federal Tax Treatment: A Plain-English Walkthrough
Federal tax treatment of wildfire settlement proceeds is more nuanced than most survivors expect. A short overview of how the principal categories are typically taxed, the federal qualified-disaster-relief rules, and where survivors most often need a tax advisor.
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Mass Torts
Nov 11, 2025
Insurance Subrogation After a Wildfire: What It Is and Why It Matters
Insurer subrogation can quietly take a large share of a wildfire settlement before survivors see anything. A plain-English overview of how subrogation works, why it matters in mass-tort settlements, and the levers that affect outcomes.
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Mass Torts
Oct 28, 2025
The $4 Billion Lahaina Settlement: Where the Money Comes From, Where It Goes
The August 2024 global settlement framework for the Lahaina wildfire totals approximately $4 billion. A plain-English look at where the money came from, how it gets to claimants, and what shapes individual allocations.
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Mass Torts
Oct 14, 2025
The Defendants in the Lahaina Wildfire Litigation: Who Is at the Table
Lahaina wildfire claims have been brought against several categories of defendants, including the principal utility, landowners, and government entities. A short overview of who has been named and why.
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Mass Torts
Sep 19, 2025
Property Owners and Renters in the Lahaina Cases: How the Claims Differ
Property owners, renters, and business owners affected by the Lahaina wildfire all have claims, but the structure of those claims looks different. A short overview of how the categories sort out.
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Mass Torts
Sep 5, 2025
The Hawaii Supreme Court Ruling That Reshaped the Maui Settlement
In early 2025, the Hawaii Supreme Court addressed a critical question about how property insurers' subrogation rights interact with the global Maui settlement. The decision materially changed how survivors recover. A short overview.
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Mass Torts
Aug 22, 2025
Lahaina Survivors Living in California: How Representation Works Across States
Many people affected by the Lahaina fire — second-home owners, business owners, family members of victims — live in California. A short overview of how representation works when the case is in Hawaii but the client is in California.
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Mass Torts
Aug 8, 2025
On the Second Anniversary of the Lahaina Fire
A note on the second anniversary of the Lahaina wildfire — what the date means, what survivors are still navigating, and what the firm thinks matters about how the legal system has responded.
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Mass Torts
Jul 25, 2025
Two Years After the Maui Wildfire: Where the Lahaina Litigation Stands
The August 2023 Lahaina fire produced one of the largest single-event mass-tort proceedings in recent memory. As the second anniversary approaches, a short look at where the litigation stands and what it means for survivors and their families.
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Mass Torts
Jul 18, 2025
California Wildfire Mass-Tort Litigation: A Working Overview
Wildfire mass-tort litigation looks different from a single-plaintiff personal-injury case. A short overview of how these cases get coordinated, the typical defendants, and what an individual claimant's role looks like.
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