Kabateck LLP partner Anastasia Mazzella was quoted in a Los Angeles Times story, “This disabled mom survived the Eaton fire. Now, the recovery is killing her,” highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by fire survivors nearly a year after the disaster.
Nearly a year after the Eaton fire devastated parts of Pasadena and Altadena, tens of thousands of residents remain displaced—including an estimated 20% who are trapped in limbo despite their homes still standing. These survivors face an endless cycle of testing and remediation for toxic contaminants like lead and asbestos, with insurance companies frequently refusing to cover industrial hygienists or safe removal of dangerous materials. Many who rely on California’s FAIR Plan face even steeper obstacles, as the state’s “insurer of last resort” continues rejecting claims despite court directives to pay for toxic contamination remediation.
“Dealing with your insurance company is like another full-time job,” Mazzella told the Times. The firm represents hundreds of Eaton fire victims in a lawsuit against Southern California Edison and has been displaced from her own standing home due to contamination issues. With California’s insurance claim deadline of January 6 looming, many victims still don’t know how contaminated their homes are or what remediation will cost—leaving them caught between unlivable homes and mounting financial pressures.
To read the full story in the Los Angeles Times, click here (subscription required).