A California utility giant is taking legal action against a moving company for alleged negligence that resulted in significant property damage. On December 23, 2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, against Movers Alliance, Inc., claiming damages due to an incident involving the defendant's employees.
The lawsuit stems from an event on April 20, 2022, when employees of Movers Alliance were reportedly operating a vehicle that collided with and damaged an electrical pole owned by PG&E at the intersection of 19th Avenue and Taraval Street in San Francisco. PG&E alleges that this incident necessitated an emergency response to repair or replace the damaged pole. The complaint outlines two causes of action: negligence and negligence per se for violating Public Utilities Code Section 7952. According to PG&E, Movers Alliance failed to exercise reasonable care while operating their vehicle, thereby breaching their duty to avoid causing harm to PG&E's property.
PG&E argues that Movers Alliance is liable under Public Utilities Code Section 7952, which holds any party accountable for damages caused by lack of proper care to public utility facilities. The utility company asserts that the damage inflicted was precisely the type of injury this code section aims to prevent. Furthermore, PG&E claims that they fall within the class of entities meant to be protected by this statute. As a result of these alleged failures by Movers Alliance, PG&E incurred costs related to repairing or replacing the pole and other associated expenses.
In its prayer for relief, PG&E seeks compensatory damages amounting to no less than $183,894.25 for each cause of action outlined in their complaint. Additionally, they request interest according to law and reimbursement for litigation costs incurred during this process. The utility company also asks for any further relief deemed just and proper by the court.
The case is being handled by Donald S. Urrabazo from Urrabazo Law P.C., representing Pacific Gas and Electric Company as their attorney. The case was filed electronically with Sahar Enayati serving as Deputy Clerk at the Superior Court of California in San Francisco County under Case No.: CGC24620848.