A group of minors, represented by their guardians, has filed a lawsuit against a major California utility company following a devastating wildfire. The complaint was lodged by the plaintiffs in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, on October 18, 2024, targeting PG&E Corporation and its subsidiary Pacific Gas and Electric Company. This legal action seeks to hold the defendants accountable for damages resulting from the Mosquito Fire that ravaged parts of El Dorado and Placer Counties in September 2022.
The plaintiffs allege that the Mosquito Fire ignited due to sparks from PG&E's electrical equipment contacting surrounding vegetation. According to the complaint, this fire burned approximately 76,290 acres over fourteen days, destroying over 78 structures and damaging others. The plaintiffs assert that PG&E's negligence in maintaining its infrastructure and failing to ensure proper clearance between power lines and vegetation led to this disaster. They claim significant losses including property damage, personal injuries, emotional distress, and economic setbacks such as lost wages and business income.
The lawsuit outlines multiple causes of action against PG&E Corporation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company. These include inverse condemnation for taking private property without just compensation; trespass for allowing fire onto plaintiffs' properties without permission; nuisance for creating conditions harmful to health and obstructing property use; violations under Public Utilities Code § 2106 for failing to maintain safe equipment; Health & Safety Code § 13007 violations for allowing fire spread; and negligence for not adhering to safety standards expected from a public utility provider.
Plaintiffs seek various forms of relief from the court. They demand compensation for real and personal property loss, alternative living expenses during evacuation periods, medical costs incurred due to injuries sustained in the fire, lost earnings capacity or business profits impacted by the incident along with punitive damages aimed at deterring future negligence by PG&E. Additionally, they request reimbursement for legal fees under applicable statutes if successful in their claims.
Representing these young plaintiffs are attorneys Jon R. Cadieux, Mark Fleming, John C. Lemon, and Gervilyn Cadimas from Singleton Schreiber LLP based in San Diego. The case is presided over by Judge Sahar Enayati with Case ID CGC-24-619075.