Latest Deal Follows String of Payouts Stemming from 2020 Blazes
PacifiCorp, the parent company of Pacific Power, announced a $178 million settlement agreement on Monday with over 400 Oregon wildfire victims. This settlement represents the latest payout related to the devastating wildfires of 2020.
Deadly Fires and Mounting Costs
The Labor Day wildfires in 2020 were some of the most catastrophic natural disasters in Oregon history. They claimed nine lives, scorched over 1,875 square miles, and destroyed countless homes and buildings.
In the aftermath, PacifiCorp has faced a barrage of lawsuits from individuals and businesses impacted by the blazes. Oregon juries have awarded plaintiffs hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts reached over the past year. Ongoing legal action could potentially result in billions more in damages for the utility company.
Settlement Details and Path Forward
The latest settlement announced on Monday pertains to claims from 403 plaintiffs. The majority were victims of the Echo Mountain Complex Fire and the Santiam Fire.
PacifiCorp has indicated in a statement that they have settled nearly 1,500 claims to date.
Plaintiffs’ attorney George McCoy views the settlement positively, stating it offers a path for his clients to begin rebuilding their lives.
Outstanding Lawsuits and Regulatory Hurdles
PacifiCorp remains entangled in additional lawsuits connected to the wildfires. Last month, dozens of Oregon wineries and vineyards filed suit, seeking over $100 million in compensation for smoke and ash damage to their crops. These plaintiffs allege that the utility’s decision to not cut power lines during high winds contributed to the fires’ spread.
