A Thousand Wildfire Survivors Seek Justice: The $30 Billion Lawsuit Against Pacificorp

One thousand people who survived the wildfires that occurred on Labor Day in 2020 have filed a lawsuit against the energy firm PacifiCorp, demanding thirty billion dollars. This comes after a series of payments were provided to those who were affected by the fires.

The complaint was submitted on Monday in Multnomah County, and the plaintiffs, who number one thousand in total, are claiming damages in the amount of thirty million dollars each. They are demanding up to five million dollars in economic damages, such as damage to their home or property, and up to twenty-five million dollars in non-economic damages, such as emotional distress.

As stated in the complaint, the plaintiffs are also seeking a trial that will be conducted by a jury. The Berkshire Hathaway company, which is owned by Warren Buffett, is the owner of PacifiCorp, which is the second largest utility in Oregon. The corporation had anticipated a maximum loss of thirty billion dollars, but the amount that is being sought is approximately four times that amount.

For irresponsibly failing to cut power to its 600,000 customers despite warnings from top fire officials, PacifiCorp was found to be guilty by a jury in June of last year. A ruling that pertained to a class that included the owners of up to 2,500 homes revealed that the jury had reached the conclusion that the defendant had acted negligently and maliciously and that it should be required to pay punitive and other damages.

In March, a jury in Oregon issued an order that required PacifiCorp to pay more than 42 million dollars to 12 victims. In addition, the United States government has threatened to file a lawsuit against the corporation to recoup roughly one billion dollars in costs associated with the wildfires that occurred in 2020; PacifiCorp is currently attempting to negotiate a settlement.

The fires were among the most devastating natural disasters that have ever occurred in the state of Oregon. They were responsible for the deaths of nine people, the destruction of almost 5,000 dwellings and other structures, and the burning of more than 1,875 square miles (4,856 square kilometrics).