In a dramatic legal filing, a group of plaintiffs has accused a major California utility company of negligence and public endangerment following one of the state's most devastating wildfires. The complaint was filed by Reiner & Frankel, LLP on December 9, 2024, in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco against PG&E Corporation and Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E). The plaintiffs are minors Marley Carpenter, Jaden Larimer, and Autumn Belknap, represented by their guardians ad litem.
The lawsuit centers around the Dixie Fire that began on July 13, 2021. It is alleged to have been ignited by unsafe electrical infrastructure owned and operated by PG&E. The fire ravaged over 960,470 acres across several counties in Northern California, destroying homes and businesses and displacing thousands. According to the complaint, PG&E's "long-standing corporate culture" prioritizes profits over safety. This negligence allegedly resulted in catastrophic consequences for the communities they serve.
The plaintiffs claim that PG&E failed to maintain its electrical infrastructure properly and neglected necessary vegetation management practices. Despite being aware of the risks posed by their aging equipment and inadequate safety measures—highlighted in prior audits and investigations—PG&E continued operations without implementing critical safety protocols. These failures reportedly included not trimming trees near power lines adequately or replacing outdated equipment prone to failure.
The complaint further accuses PG&E of ignoring repeated warnings from regulatory bodies like the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which had previously sanctioned the company for similar violations leading to past fires. Plaintiffs argue that PG&E's actions were not isolated incidents but part of an ongoing pattern of misconduct driven by financial incentives at the expense of public safety.
In seeking justice, the plaintiffs demand compensatory damages for emotional distress and property loss due to the fire. They also seek punitive damages to penalize PG&E for its reckless disregard for human life and environmental safety. Additionally, they request injunctive relief requiring PG&E to comply with state regulations regarding infrastructure maintenance and vegetation management.
Representing the plaintiffs are attorneys Russell Reiner, Rick Lundblade, and April K. Stratte from Reiner & Frankel LLP. The case is presided over by Judge Michael Deems under Case ID CGC-24-620465.