SAN FRANCISO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, nationally recognized attorneys from Baron & Budd and Dixon Diab & Chambers LLP, collectively known as the Wildfire Recovery Attorneys, announced that the team has filed suit against PG&E Corporation and Pacific Gas And Electric Company, a California Corporation (collectively known as “PG&E”) on behalf of almost 250 additional plaintiffs who sustained injuries or other damages as a result of the historic Camp Fire, which began on Nov. 8, 2018. The suit was filed in San Francisco Superior Court on December 6, 2018 (Case No. CGC-18-571875).
In the suit, the Wildfire Recovery Attorneys allege that the Camp Fire began when electrical infrastructure owned, operated, and maintained by PG&E failed, causing a spark that ignited the blaze. The suit also alleges that PG&E was aware of the risk associated with the high-voltage power line that is alleged to have caused the Camp Fire prior to when the fire started, and also planned to de-energize power lines as a precaution against fires in Butte County immediately before the fire started, but instead canceled those plans.
As a result of PG&E’s alleged negligence, the Camp Fire claimed more than 85 lives, burned more than 150,000 acres and destroyed over 18,000 structures. The terrifying fire also effectively eradicated the Town of Paradise as it tore through Northern California. In total, the fire has been estimated to cause between $10 and $12 billion in damages.
The suit states that damages suffered by the plaintiffs include, but are not limited to: personal injuries, damage to or destruction of property, loss of business income, loss of cherished possessions, medical bills, evacuation expenses, and lost wages.
“Unfortunately, PG&E’s continued insistence on placing profits over public safety has now led to the creation of the deadliest wildfire in state history,” said Baron & Budd Shareholder, John Fiske. “The losses sustained by the victims of the Camp Fire are widespread and comprehensive. This fire claimed 85 people’s lives, obliterated homes and businesses, and left survivors to cope with ongoing pain and lingering feelings of lost dignity while trying to rebuild their households after this monstrous fire swept through and took away everything they hold dear.”
As part of a special documentary on utility-caused wildfires, Fiske was interviewed by HBO’s “VICE.” The complete interview will begin airing on HBO Vice on Friday, Dec. 14 at 4:30 p.m., PT.
The Wildfire Recovery Attorneys have hired investigators, experts and adjusters to expedite the recovery process for victims of the Camp Fire. To inquire by phone, call 530-208-0372. Other information can be found online at www.fireattorneys.com
ABOUT BARON & BUDD, P.C.
Baron & Budd, P.C. is among the largest and most accomplished plaintiffs’ law firms in the country. With more than 35 years of experience, Baron & Budd has the expertise and resources to handle complex litigation throughout the United States. As a law firm that takes pride in remaining at the forefront of litigation, Baron & Budd has spearheaded many significant cases for hundreds of entities and thousands of individuals. Since the firm was founded in 1977, Baron & Budd has achieved substantial national acclaim for its work on cutting-edge litigation, trying hundreds of cases to verdict and settling tens of thousands of cases in areas of litigation as diverse as dangerous pharmaceuticals and defective medical devices, asbestos and mesothelioma, environmental contamination, fraudulent banking practices, motor vehicles, employment, and other consumer fraud issues.
ABOUT DIXON DIAB & CHAMBERS LLP
The lawyers at Dixon Diab & Chambers LLP have gained national recognition as being some of the top litigators in their respective areas of practice. Ed Diab leads the firm’s fire litigation practice and has litigated numerous wildfire cases throughout the country. Mr. Diab was appointed by the court to the Plaintiffs Executive Committee in both the 2015 Butte Fire and 2017 North Bay Fires to help lead the litigation against PG&E. Both Deborah Dixon and Robert Chambers have significant experience litigating complex, multi-party lawsuits against entities and insurance companies on behalf of individuals and businesses. Their experience in personal injury, business litigation, products liability and class actions provide integral background for fire cases, as does their direct experience handling claims on behalf of victims who suffered personal injury and property damages because of fires.
