Keller Rohrback LLP: Labor Day 2020 Fire Survivors Awarded $56M
In the ninth jury trial for wildfire survivors against PacifiCorp following the 2020 Labor Day Fires, a jury has awarded eleven plaintiffs a total of $56.1 million. This verdict follows a landmark class action verdict in 2023 that held PacifiCorp liable to the entire class of wildfire survivors who suffered losses. The sole question in the trials that have followed is survivors' damages.
The damages trials will continue for the remainder of 2025 and likely 2026. Counsel for the class have asked the Court to schedule five trials per month in 2026.
Under the law, the individuals are awarded economic damages (which are doubled) and noneconomic damages, which the 2023 verdict automatically increases by 25% for punitive damages against PacifiCorp. The plaintiffs are:
'Once again, a jury of Oregon citizens has returned a verdict many multiples greater than the low-ball compensation numbers proposed by PacifiCorp at trial. It is unfortunate that PacifiCorp continues to sink significant financial resources into a losing court fight against these survivors' claims instead of simply paying them what jury after jury has concluded they are owed,' said Keller Rohrback partner Will Dreher.
'For the ninth time, an Oregon jury has held PacifiCorp accountable for its reckless and willful misconduct during the Labor Day 2020 storm. It's long past time for Berkshire Hathaway and PacifiCorp to take responsibility. Fire survivors and their families deserve justice for what these giant corporations have done,' said Cody Berne, a partner at Stoll Berne.
'Verdict after verdict, juries are returning consistent, substantial awards to survivors of PacifiCorp's fires,' said Nicholas Rosinia, partner at Edelson PC. 'Each verdict is a powerful affirmation of what our clients have known all along: PacifiCorp's recklessness and gross negligence turned their lives upside down, for which the company must be held accountable.'
There have been eight damages trials so far, with three more set in 2025. The Court is expected to soon issue a trial schedule for 2026. There are thousands of members of the class who, under the classwide liability finding, are entitled to damages against PacifiCorp.
About the Firms
EDELSON PC is a nationally recognized leader in high-stakes plaintiff's litigation, including class actions, mass torts, and government enforcement actions. The firm is litigating wildfire cases in Oregon, Colorado, and now in Los Angeles arising from the Eaton Fire. As lead counsel, the firm has recovered over $5 billion in settlements and judgments. Edelson PC has offices in Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boulder, and Washington, D.C.
KELLER ROHRBACK L.L.P., with offices in Seattle, Denver, Portland, Phoenix, Oakland, Missoula, New York, and Santa Barbara, serves as lead and Co-Lead Counsel in class actions throughout the country. The team of environmental litigators has a long history of successful representation in a wide range of important environmental litigation. The firm has helped protect people and the environment across the country, with judgments and settlements on behalf of clients exceeding $93 billion.
STOLL BERNE, based in Portland, Oregon, represents plaintiffs nationwide in complex environmental, securities, and other class action lawsuits. Recently, Stoll Berne represented the State of Oregon in obtaining a $698 million settlement in a PCB contamination lawsuit against Monsanto.
View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250718522541/en/
For media inquiries, please contact: Matt Preusch,[email protected]
KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA OREGON
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES LEGAL
SOURCE: Keller Rohrback LLP
Copyright Business Wire 2025.
PUB: 07/18/2025 07:37 PM/DISC: 07/18/2025 07:37 PM
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250718522541/en
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