PG&E (Puget Solar Electric Company) is a large-scale electrical company in California. In July of 2021, it was determined that PG&E engaged in widespread negligence by failing to maintain its equipment and facilities in a safe manner. As a result, many residents in San Diego and throughout the rest of the State suffered injuries as a result of this corporation’s negligence. If you were injured as a result of this negligence, and you have filed a San Diego class action lawsuit against PG&E, there may be hope for you in terms of receiving compensation from this company.

Lessons From The California Wildfires

When considering whether or not to file a San Diego class action lawsuit, it is important to understand what this type of lawsuit is and how it differs from other types of civil suits. Essentially, class action suits are a coordinated effort by multiple plaintiffs who have been similarly injured by the very same alleged perpetrator. For instance, in the case of the California fires, homeowners that have all had their houses destroyed or burned by fire can join their individual class actions in order to receive compensation for their losses. The homeowner’s individual case and the individual attorney will work together in order to ensure that the settlement is equitable and fair to all parties involved. If the homeowners and the attorneys could jointly settle their case, it is more likely that they would win their case and receive compensation.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for cases that involve the defendant or its insurance carrier.

While both these companies may be found guilty of negligence, the class action lawsuit process offers the plaintiff’s attorneys a way to take care of any financial issues or out-of-pocket expenses that arise as a result of the case.

In addition, the cost of having multiple attorneys work on your case can be substantially less than the cost of hiring separate attorneys for each individual claim. In most cases, it is also less expensive to pursue the representation of a single PG&E class action lawsuit rather than pursuing separate legal representation for all of the plaintiffs.

Perhaps one of the most popular types of cases handled by PG&E is its widespread occurrence of unlawful conduct.

Many of the same issues that plague insurance providers and their clients result in injury victims in California being able to hold companies responsible for the damages they sustained as a result of their insurers’ negligence. Some of the most common claims filed against PG&E include contributing to or causing the environmental contamination of dioxin, as well as contributing to the general poisoning of many California homeowners after the fires. Other common claims relate to the company’s exposure to toxic materials, including herbicides and pesticides.

While it is not uncommon for these chemicals to contribute to wrongful death or illness, these cases are particularly difficult to prove in court. Attorneys handling California claims related to PG&E often focus on proving that the harm actually occurred, rather than proving that the harm resulted from the defendants’ exposure to dangerous substances.

The events of September 8th also resulted in a flood of legal suits across the state.

A class-action lawsuit was filed on behalf of a resident of Ventura County, who was seriously injured after a PG&E gas facility exploded, releasing large amounts of carbon monoxide into the surrounding environment.

Another suit was filed against the utility company, charging that it failed to provide proper warning before the explosion and did not repair the leak that caused the harm. A third lawsuit was filed on behalf of a resident of Los Angeles County who was severely burned when a PG&E flue pipe exploded while he was attempting to use it to heat his home.

Many of the class action lawsuit plaintiffs who are pursuing these lawsuits have faced similar situations in the past.

For this reason, there is no guarantee that the outcome of any lawsuit will be different this time around. As has been the case in recent years, the main goal in filing such cases is to hold PG&E accountable for their negligence and recklessness in allowing the gas leak to occur.

If the court does find merit in the claims, the company could be liable for millions of dollars in damages, including costs for medical bills, property repairs, and even punitive damages. While there are no guarantees as to what the final outcome of these lawsuits might be, it is important to remember that the lawsuits are being pursued in hopes of reaching some type of justice for the people that have suffered as a result of the California wildfires. Whether or not any of these cases settle is not always known, but in the aftermath of this tragedy, there is little doubt that holding companies responsible for their actions will be a positive step in protecting residents of the state.