Disaster

Texas Governor Signs Life-Saving Camp Safety Laws Following Tragic Flood Disaster

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AUSTIN, Texas — In response to a tragic incident that claimed the lives of more than 130 people in Central Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has enacted new legislation aimed at enhancing safety measures in summer camps. This legislation comes after devastating flash floods in July resulted in the deaths of 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic in Kerrville. The new laws mandate that summer camps across Texas implement emergency warning systems and properly train staff on evacuation protocols. Additionally, any cabins situated in designated floodplains will no longer be permitted, emphasizing the need for … Read more

Multnomah County Jury Grants $50 Million to Wildfire Survivors, Holding PacifiCorp Accountable for 2020 Disaster

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A Multnomah County jury awarded approximately $50 million to ten survivors of Oregon’s 2020 Labor Day wildfires, marking a significant development in a series of legal actions against PacifiCorp, a Portland-based electric utility. This decision increases the company’s financial liability to more than $385 million, stemming from a ruling in 2023 that determined PacifiCorp was negligent in its failure to cut off power during hazardous fire conditions, leading to four major wildfires. Among those receiving compensation are Wanda and Bill Ford, an elderly couple whose home in the Otis area was destroyed by the Echo … Read more

Legal Battles and Future Promises: How Edison International’s Role in The Eaton Fire Is Reshaping Disaster Litigation

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Los Angeles, CA – A series of legal actions against Edison International Inc., spurred by the catastrophic Eaton Fire, are poised to potentially transform how mass tort attorneys manage cases related to natural disasters. Ongoing litigation includes a notable lawsuit from Los Angeles County – its third in seven years – which accuses the utility company of igniting one of the most destructive fires in California history through its equipment failures. This fire resulted in the loss of approximately 9,400 structures and claimed 18 lives. The County is seeking compensation for the extensive damage inflicted … Read more

Decade After Deepwater Horizon Disaster, Lingering Damage and New Discoveries Highlight Stakes in Gulf

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New Orleans, LA – More than a decade after the catastrophic Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which unleashed approximately 134 million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico, the repercussions continue to resonate through ecological, legal, and community spheres. The incident, marked as the nation’s most severe offshore oil disaster, occurred when an oil rig exploded, claiming the lives of 11 individuals. Since that devastating event, BP, the oil company at the center of the disaster, has paid out billions in damages to support numerous coastal restoration initiatives across five states. Despite these efforts, … Read more