Devastating wildfires have unfortunately become a regular part of life in California. Rather than simply accepting them as the new reality, however, experts and investigators work to identify the most common causes of wildfires to try to prevent them. Understanding the role of corporate negligence in many of the state’s deadliest wildfires is crucial in wildfire claims.
Corporate Negligence and California’s Deadliest Wildfires
Businesses and corporations in California have a legal obligation to ensure the reasonable safety of their practices and equipment. The high risk of wildfires in many parts of California imposes a specific duty on utility companies to prevent fire risks. Unfortunately, major corporations have historically not upheld their duties of care in terms of preventing wildfires. An example is the deadliest wildfire in California’s recorded history: the Camp Fire of 2018. This fire took 85 lives and destroyed more than 18,000 structures. An investigation found that this fire was started by a Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) high-voltage power line, which had a broken suspension hook that allowed the highly energized line to hit the ground in windy conditions. This was not the first time that PG&E faced inquiries into criminal violations connected to serious California wildfires. Another major utility corporation in California, Southern California Edison (SCE) has also been at the heart of wildfire litigation for sparking fires due to negligence, including the recent Eaton Fire, which took 18 lives.
Examples of Corporate Negligence in Relation to Wildfires
In personal injury law and wildfire litigation, “negligence” refers to a party’s failure to act with an appropriate amount of care, resulting in harm to others. Corporate negligence can describe any act or omission by a corporation that does not meet the expected standard of care, or what a reasonably prudent company would have done in the same circumstance. Examples of corporate negligence that can cause wildfires include:
- Unsafe policies
- Lack of emergency preparedness
- Low-quality equipment
- Inadequate repairs
- Lack of employee supervision
- No quality control
- Violated wildfire prevention regulations
- Failing to inspect equipment
- Delayed upgrades
- Ignoring overgrown vegetation
Companies have an obligation to act with due diligence to avoid causing harm to others. In California, this includes a duty to prevent wildfires through proper equipment maintenance and various other measures. If there is proof that corporate negligence played a role in sparking a California wildfire, victims may be eligible for financial compensation from the corporation.
Proving Corporate Negligence in a Wildfire Case
To receive financial compensation from a corporation during a wildfire lawsuit in California, you or your wildfire attorney must prove negligence. This takes evidence showing that the company had a legal obligation to act in a way that prevents wildfires from occurring, such as shutting off power to energized lines in high-risk conditions. Then, there must be proof that the company breached or failed to meet this duty of care, and that this is what caused the wildfire. Finally, you need evidence of your losses in association with the wildfire to qualify for financial damages. Hiring an attorney can improve your chances of success during a wildfire case involving corporate negligence. Work with an attorney with experience going up against utility companies in wildfire cases and winning for your highest odds of securing maximum financial compensation. Contact Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian for a free consultation.