A group calling itself the Northern California Fire Lawyers have come together to file a lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric (more commonly referred to as PG&E). The group of lawyers is alleging that the Camp Fire in Butte County was the result of PG&E acting negligently, carelessly, recklessly, and / or unlawfully. More specifically, they claim that PG&E did not maintain, repair, and replace its equipment and that this negligent contributed to the fire starting.
Does this lawsuit have a chance? Was PG&E really responsible? Many questions remain as the fires are starting to be contained. At Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas our thoughts are with those affected by the fire. We know how devastating it can be to lose property, lose a loved one, or suffer burn injuries caused by fire. Read on to find out more about the facts of the case. If you believe you have been injured as the result of a company or person’s carelessness or negligence, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
There may be a strong case against PG&E
There are several facts that make it appear that PG&E may be in hot water. First, in the days before the fire, PG&E told their customers in Paradise that it may be necessary to shut down their power due to dangerous conditions. PG&E had shut down the power to about 60,000 other customers nearby. The day before the fire started, PG&E told one landowner who lived near the origin of the fire that crews would be on her property because of sparking utility wires.
The District Attorney of Butte County has so far not come out publicly with information on how the fire started but this seems to be a piece of damning information against PG&E. At a minimum, sparking utility wires can cause electrocution injuries. In this case, it may have resulted in deadly fires.
The specifics of the fires
The Camp Fire has killed at least 50 people but hundreds are still missing – many of them elderly. Nearly 8,000 homes were destroyed and nearly 150,000 acres have been destroyed. The sheriff of Butte County has been clear that this is the deadliest and most destructive fire in the history of the state.
PG&E has been sued for similar reasons in the past
So far PG&E says they are focusing on helping with rescue efforts and has said nothing about their alleged lability. It is worth nothing that PG&E has been involved in similar lawsuits in the past. In 2010, a gas line of theirs exploded in San Bruno and killed eight people. PG&E accepted liability and settled with victims for more than $565 million. PG&E has also been sued by the city of Santa Rosa and Sonoma County for not maintaining the area around their power liens.
