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Mountain View News Saturday, November 15, 2025

 LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Los Angeles 
County attorneys today launched an investigation 
into State Farm over their handling 
of insurance claims filed by policyholders 
affected by January's wildfires following 
growing complaints from residents about 
delays, underpayments and denials of legitimate 
claims.

 The investigation is expected to focus on 
potential violations of California's Unfair 
Competition Law. County Counsel stated 
that it has formally notified State Farm, the 
largest insurer in California, that if it is engaging 
in any unlawful or unfair business 
practices, the company must immediately 
stop such conduct and follow state laws.

 County Counsel is empowered by statute 
to investigate and prosecute violations of the 
Unfair Competition Law on behalf of the 
residents, and seek restitution, civil penalties 
and injunctive relief for any violations.

 ``Altadena residents have already endured 
unimaginable loss and they shouldn't have 
to fight their own insurance company to recover,'' 
according to a statement from L.A. 
County Board of Supervisor Chair Kathryn 
Barger, who represents Altadena. ``The 
county has heard loud and clear from wildfire 
survivors that State Farm's delays are 
standing in the way of rebuilding.''

 ``Fair and timely insurance payments 
aren't a privilege; they're a right. State Farm 
must act quickly so survivors can rebuild 
their homes and their lives,'' Barger added.

 County attorneys sent the insurer a letter, 
seeking information and documentation 
on its business practices such as the use of 
rotating adjuster tactics, misrepresentations 
of coverage, payments for smoke damage, 
additional living expense, refusal to disclose 
estimates and inspection results upon 
request, as well as the use of artificial intelligence 
tools in review of claims.

 Third-party surveys found widespread 
frustration with the insurer's treatment of 
claims, with far too many residents facing 
undue claims delays, underpayments and 
denials that compound their hardship and 
loss in the aftermath of the fires, according 
to county officials.

 State Farm customers have had far worse 
experiences than customers of other insurers, 
reporting much higher rates of claim 
denials, lowball claims estimates, poor communication 
and multiple adjusters being 
assigned to their claims, an October survey, 
conducted by Embold Research for the nonprofit 
Department of Angels, found.

 The survey noted the urgent need to resolve 
claims quickly as displacement coverage 
will be running out soon for many survivors 
who must either return home or find 
other housing.

 ``Los Angeles County residents have paid 
State Farm millions in premiums over many 
years, and the company has a clear obligation 
to honor its policies in full,'' said Supervisor 
Lindsey Horvath, who represents 
Pacific Palisades. ``Families who lost everything 
in the Palisades and Eaton fires deserve 
fair and timely treatment -- not delays, 
denials, or underpayments.''

 ``It's time for State Farm to live up to its 
commitment to be a `good neighbor' and 
do right by its customers who have lost so 
much.''

 The insurer has more than 2.8 million residential 
and commercial policies.

 County Counsel Dawyn Harrison added 
they are committed to thoroughly investigating 
State Farm's actions and making sure 
they are ``treating claimants fairly and resolving 
their claims quickly and in full compliance 
with the law.''

 ``The goals of this investigation are unclear 
but what is clear is that it will be another 
distraction from our ongoing work 
in California to help our customers recover 
from this tragedy,'' according to a statement 
from State Farm.

 ``State Farm is committed to paying customers 
what they're owed. We're handling 
over 13,500 claims and have paid almost $5 
billion to California customers affected by 
the January wildfires. Nearly 200 claims professionals 
are still on the ground, supported 
by teams nationwide, helping customers 
recover,'' the statement continued. ``We're 
here every step of the way and working with 
elected officials to build a more sustainable 
insurance market in California.''

 State Farm launched a fire recovery webpage 
earlier this year as a way to inform 
policyholders and others about the effort 
they've taken in response to Palisades and 
Eaton fires.

 Homeowners non-renewals in L.A. County 
were paused by the insurer following the 
fire emergency. Any homeowners' policies 
which had pending non-renewals in the 
county that were on the books on Jan. 7 will 
have an option to renew with State Farm 
General.

 Joy Chen, executive director of the Eaton 
Fire Survivors Network, hailed county officials 
for initiating a probe into State Farm's 
handling of claims.

 ``After 10 long months of delays, denials, 
and heartbreak, we are grateful to Supervisor 
Kathryn Barger for demanding accountability 
from State Farm. Her leadership gives 
survivors hope that recovery -- long stalled 
by insurer misconduct -- can finally move 
forward,'' Chen said in a statement.

 For months, survivors had urged state 
officials to act. The organization -- whose 
members consist of Altadena residents and 
some from Pacific Palisades -- documented 
more than 400 firsthand accounts from fire

survivors, which they say reveal a ``clear 
pattern of misconduct'' by the insurer.

 Last week, members of the network conducted 
a news conference to urge California 
Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to 
resign for what they describe as his failure 
to hold insurers accountable. The group also 
called on Gov. Gavin Newsom to install a 
new commissioner who will rebuild an insurance 
system.

 ``In the absence of state leadership, today's 
county investigation is a major step forward. 
It matters not only for Los Angeles fire survivors, 
but for every Californian who pays 
premiums and expects the protection they 
paid for when disaster strikes,'' Chen said in 
her statement.

 Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit, nonpartisan 
organization advocating for taxpayers, 
commended the county for opening the civil 
investigation into State Farm, calling it a 
``vital step to protect wildfire victims.''

 ``Many wildfire survivors have been waiting 
for nearly a year for help that hasn't 
come,'' Carmen Balber, executive director 
at Consumer Watchdog, said in a statement. 
``The county's investigation finally gives 
fire victims a chance at real accountability 
and relief.''

 The organization says it received ``voluminous 
complaints'' from consumers that 
their insurers, including State Farm, have 
delayed, tried tounderpay or outright denied 
their claims.

 Copyright 2025, City News Service, Inc.

NEWS BRIEFS

LA COUNTY OPENS INVESTIGATION INTO STATE 
FARM'S HANDLING OF WILDFIRE CLAIMS

DEATH OF MAN IN ARCADIA FOUND 
ON FREEWAY EMBANKMENT UNDER 
INVESTIGATION

 ARCADIA (CNS) - An investigation was underway today 
into the death of a 34-year-old man on a freeway embankment 
near a medical clinic in Arcadia.

 The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office identified 
the man as Andrew Hall and deferred a decision as to 
his cause of death. Hall's city of residence was not available.

 The California Highway Patrol reported that it assigned 
the first unit at 3:47 p.m. Saturday to respond to 468 E. Santa 
Clara St., the address of the Children's Hospital of Los 
Angeles Arcadia Specialty Clinic, near Fifth Avenue and the 
Foothill (210) Freeway.

ALTADENA COMMUNITY TO COMMEMORATE 
ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY 
OF THE EATON FIRE

— The Coalition for Altadena Recovery (CCAR) will host 
a community commemoration marking the one-year anniversary 
of the Eaton Fire on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 
at 5:00 p.m., in the Grocery Outlet parking lot, 2270 Lake 
Ave., Altadena, CA.

The Eaton Fire forever changed the landscape of Altadena, 
but it also revealed the community’s extraordinary strength, 
spirit, compassion, and resolve. This gathering is intended 
to bring residents together in resilience and solidarity, to reflect 
on what was lost, celebrate what has been rebuilt, and 
look ahead with hope.

The evening will feature music, remembrances, and light 
refreshments. This is a rain-or-shine event, and all community 
members are encouraged to attend.

“We know how important and impactful the one-year anniversary 
of this disastrous event—which forever changed 
Altadena and Altadenans—is,” said Victoria Knapp, Chair 
of the Altadena Town Council. “We wanted to create an 
opportunity for the community to come together to heal, 
support, and rally around each other. These milestones are 
important for marking our collective grief and also our 
recovery.”

“As we mark the anniversary of the devastating Eaton Fire” 
adds Veronica Jones, President of the Altadena Historical 
Society, “we pause to remember the lives lost, homes destroyed, 
and resilience of our community. Let this anniversary 
serve as a reminder of the courage and strength of Altadena’s 
residents and our shared commitment to recovery 
and rebuilding together.”

Additional details, including speakers and program 
highlights, will be shared as the date approaches. 
___________________________

ABOUT THE COALITION FOR ALTADENA RECOVERY 
(CCAR): The Coalition for Altadena Recovery was formed by LA 
County Supervisor Kathyrn Barger in the aftermath of the Eaton 
Fire to support residents, businesses, and community organizations 
in rebuilding a stronger, more resilient Altadena. CCAR is made 
up of representatives from the Altadena Town Council, Altadena 
Rotary Club, Altadena Heritage, Altadena Historical Society, Altadena 
Chamber of Commerce and Civic Organization, Altadena 
Wild, Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations, and Altadena 
NAACP.

“SO LONG AS THERE ARE VETERANS, THE ELKS WILL NEVER FORGET THEM”

Every November the Arcadia Elks Lodge 2025 and every other Elks Lodge in the country take part in 
Veteran’s Remembrance Month. Although the Elks practice their motto “So Long as there are Veterans, 
the Elks will Never Forget Them” throughout the year, the Arcadia Elks, and every other Lode, reaffirm 
their commitment to Veterans during November each year. 

On November 5, 2025, the Arcadia Elks Lodge 2025 was honored and pleased to host the U.S. Department 
of Veterans Affairs San Gabriel Valley VA Clinic Open House. The event was attended by over 
250 Veterans who received a wealth of useful informative. There were tables set up so Veterans could get information from 
the Veterans Benefits Administration and sign-up on the spot for benefits, National Cemetery Administration, Disability 
Claims, Women Veterans Health Care, Patriots and Paws, and the Homeless Virtual Health Resource Center. In addition, 
there was information on Apps Veterans can use to schedule their appointments and get support and information. At this 
booth, there were specialists to assist Veterans on the spot with putting the Apps on their phones. 

There were many agency represented sharing information: These included Mindful Veterans, which had a kid’s corner at the 
event, the VFW and American Legion had tables and were letting the Veterans know what their members do and why they 
should join.

In addition, the event included lunch for all the Veterans in attendance and flu shots. 

The Arcadia Elks Lodge was happy to host the Veterans and help them get this valuable information.

For more information on the Arcadia Elks Lodge, please email the Lodge at artemp2025@aol.com or call the Lodge at (626) 
445-2025.

 
ALTADENA (CNS) - Eaton Fire-area 
residents are urging Gov. Gavin Newsom 
and elected officials representing Altadena 
to ensure properties undergo robust remediation 
to address contaminants, following 
a recent report that found many homes continue 
to test positive for asbestos and lead 
following initial clean up.

 On Friday, members of Eaton Fire Residents 
United -- a group of Altadena residents 
who were impacted by January's blaze 
-- conducted a news conference to discuss 
the results of their report. A survey of about 
50 homes found that 50% of them received 
access to asbestos testing and 90% of homes 
had lead testing.

 Of those 50 homes, 25 of them tested positive 
for asbestos, or about 36%, post-remediation. 
Meanwhile, 45 out of 50 homes, 
about 96%, tested for lead post-remediation.

 The organization says that the laboratory 
findings highlight that thousands of homes 
in the Altadena area are unsafe for families 
and people to return to.

 ``We're here today, 10 months to the day 
since the Eaton Fire, on behalf of thousands 
of residents whose homes are still standing,'' 
Jane Lawton Potelle said, founder of Eaton 
Fire Residents United. ``We deserve not 
just to return to our homes, but to be safe in 
our homes. And right now, our homes are

not safe. They're full of dangerous poisonous 
contaminants left over from the fire.''

 ``We're asking for something very simple, 
clearance before occupancy,'' Potelle added.

 The organization is calling on Newsom, 
Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and 
elected officials representing Altadena to 
ensure that each home that survived the fire 
should be required to achieve ``comprehensive 
clearance status'' before residents 
are moved back in.

 ``Public officials promised we would be 
able to return home safely,'' Potelle said. 
``We're asking them to follow through with 
their promise and force insurance and companies 
to finish the job properly so that we 
can come home safely.''

 The results are similar to findings of a Los 
Angeles Times investigation that was published 
in May, which found toxins remained 
in the soil despite federal clean up crews removing 
about seven feet of topsoil, and

other remediation efforts.

 The Times arranged for sampling of 40 
properties, of which 20 had survived and 20 
were cleaned up by federal crews in Altadena 
and Pacific Palisades. Soil taken from 
those properties was tested for 17 toxins.

 Nicole Maccalla, an Altadena resident of 
11 years, is a faculty member at USC. Her 
home suffered structural and smoke damage 
from the Eaton Fire.

 ``We've analyzed a sample of 50 homes 
that were tested after remediation. These are 
homes that have supposedly been cleaned 
up, but the data shows that the majority of 
homes are not safe to return to,'' Maccalla 
said, who is also the director of data science 
and educational outreach for the advocacy 
group.

 ``Six out of 10 remediated homes remain 
uninhabitable due to lead and or asbestos. 
Asbestos is a highly carcinogenic substance 
known to cause lung disease and lung cancer,'' 
Maccalla added.

 She also warned that lead can result in serious 
health problems, especially in children 
and pregnant women. Powell noted only 
one in four homes was tested for ash, soot 
and char contamination post-remediation 
of those homes.

 ``We know most standing homes are not 
being comprehensively tested for contaminants 
that can cause severe illness or death,'' 
Maccalla said.

``This has to change. It is essential that everyone 
understand that achieving clearance 
status may require more than one round of 
remediation.''

 Several homeowners and members of Eaton 
Fire Residents United shared their experiences 
of having their claims delayed or 
denied by their insurers.

 They urged insurance companies to cover 
housing expenses for impacted homeowners 
until their homes have successfully 
passed comprehensive testing.

 Rep. Judy Chu, D-Monterey Park, in a 
statement said she was ``deeply alarmed'' 
by the findings released by the Eaton Fire 
Residents United.

 ``It is unacceptable that, as many survivors 
of the Eaton Fire see their compensation 
for temporary housing deplete, many 
of our neighbors are being forced to decide 
between a roof over their heads or risking 
exposure to deadly toxins,'' Chu said in her 
statement.

 Chu urged Newsom, Lara and the Los 
Angeles County Board of Supervisors to 
immediately adopt a so-called ``Clearance 
Before Occupancy'' standard to ensure fire 
survivors can feel safe from exposure to toxins 
before returning home.

 She called on Lara to hold insurance companies 
accountable and ensure they cover 
testing and allow multiple remediation 
rounds until homes are cleared.

 Chu recommended that Newsom declare 
an ``Ash Zone'' to provide a formal recognition 
of homes outside of a fire's direct burn 
zone but impacted by ash and smoke.

 ``This designation would protect the 
health and wellbeing of our community 
members, as well as make it easier for impacted 
households to demonstrate the impact 
they've experienced following a fire 
and receive the compensation and assistance 
needed,'' Chu said in her statement.

 State Farm, one of the largest insurers in 
California, has maintained it is helping customers 
recover from the fire.

 ``Our hearts and thoughts go out to the 
people and communities affected by these 
fires,'' according to a statement from State 
Farm.

 According to the company's webpage dedicated 
to California customers impacted by 
wildfires, State Farm has received more than 
13,500 claims as of Thursday, and has paid 
almost $5 billion to state customers.

 Copyright 2025, City News Service, Inc.

EATON FIRE RESIDENTS REPORT TOXINS PERSIST AFTER CLEANUPS

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com