Wildfire

Oregonians Secure $28 Million in Wildfire Lawsuit Against PacifiCorp, Falling Short of Expectations

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Oregon – A jury has awarded nearly $28 million in noneconomic damages to a group of Oregonians following a trial against utility provider PacifiCorp tied to wildfire damages. The payout, amounting to $27.97 million, was significantly lower than the $100 million sought by the ten plaintiffs, which included a photographer and a charter boat operator. The case focused on allegations that PacifiCorp’s negligence contributed to devastating wildfires that affected numerous communities in Oregon. During the trial, plaintiffs detailed the extensive emotional and psychological toll the wildfires inflicted on their lives and livelihoods, emphasizing the personal … Read more

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

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

Lawsuits Against Edison International Spark New Era for Mass Tort Attorneys in Wildfire Cases

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Los Angeles, Calif. — A series of lawsuits against Edison International Inc. regarding its alleged involvement in the devastating Eaton Fire could significantly reshape how mass tort attorneys handle natural disaster cases in the future. This latest legal action by Los Angeles County marks the third attempt in the past seven years to hold the utility accountable for allegedly sparking one of California’s most destructive fires, which claimed 18 lives and destroyed approximately 9,400 structures. The county seeks to recover damages and costs associated with the fire and its aftermath. The emergence of this lawsuit … Read more