Survivors

Oregon Jury Hands $50 Million Verdict to Wildfire Survivors, Holding PacifiCorp Accountable for 2020 Fires

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Portland, Oregon — A Multnomah County jury has awarded approximately $50 million to ten survivors of the devastating Labor Day wildfires that swept across Oregon in 2020, marking a significant legal victory against PacifiCorp, an electric utility company. This ruling adds to a series of verdicts that have collectively imposed more than $385 million in damages on the company, stemming from its alleged negligence during extreme fire conditions. The recent jury decision follows a 2023 class-action verdict that determined PacifiCorp failed to adequately shut off power, which contributed to the outbreak of four major wildfires. … Read more

Tragic Delays: Survivors of Clergy Abuse Face Justice Denied as Bankruptcy Courts Drag On

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Rochester, New York — The story of Kevin Higley reflects the profound impact of unresolved trauma as he became one of many survivors pushing for justice against the Diocese of Rochester. Higley, who died in 2022, vowed to protect future victims of sexual abuse after coming forward with his own horrific experience as a child. His wife, Natalie, recalls their first meeting decades ago when he disclosed the abuse he suffered by a priest during his youth, an ordeal that haunted him throughout their years together. The legal battle surrounding the diocese has become increasingly … 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

Mushroom Mystery: Survivor’s Testimony Raises New Questions in Fatal Lunch Trial

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MORWELL, Australia — Erin Patterson, accused of serving a toxic lunch that left three people dead, claimed to have eaten only half of the dish allegedly laced with deadly death cap mushrooms. Her assertion followed a gathering that resulted in the fatalities of her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, along with Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson. In court this week, evidence showed that Gail Patterson consumed half of her beef Wellington, while Don consumed the remainder, ultimately leading to her rapid decline due to mushroom poisoning. Dr. Dimitri Gerostamoulos, the head of forensic science at the … Read more