Could PG&E Be Liable on Both Civil and Criminal Levels?

It is readily apparent that PG&E will likely be responsible for paying out many claims if they are found responsible for the California Camp Fire. However, now parties are stepping forward and claiming that the company could also be responsible on a criminal level for the Camp Fire that they believe could have been prevented.

It is possible that PG&E might face criminal charges for manslaughter or murder in the wake of the wildfire that ended lives, caused injuries, and damaged many properties, sending thousands from their homes. The potential charges were described in a brief from the Attorney General’s office in California.

The Attorney General’s office claims that PG&E could be facing charges that include failing to clear vegetation, starting a wildfire, involuntary manslaughter, or certain types of murder. Many of these charges are felonies, which means that the results could be quite severe for those involved. At this time, the wildfire cause is still under investigation, but there is a very real chance that PG&E could be found liable for the fires. A proper investigation continues at this time so that realistic determinations can be made and all involved parties can be held liable.

It is possible that, if the company is blamed and charges result, PG&E could be in big trouble as a company and the company could actually break up as a whole. We are not yet sure what this means for the many who wish to move forward with a claim after one of the most difficult times in their life. However, it is possible that many will be able to bring a claim against the company for outright behavior and might actually qualify for punitive damages.

Punitive Damages in Especially Reckless Cases 

The idea behind criminal charges in a case like this would be to punish the defendant for their behavior to ensure that these actions never happen again. PG&E might be held liable for a wildfire that led to the fatalities of 86 people, displaced thousands of people from their homes, and caused hundreds more to be injured due to improperly maintained equipment that they knew could pose harm. If they are found liable, punitive damages might be introduced in your claim.

Punitive damages are a special type of damage that doesn’t apply to every case except for those where the court tries to deter a defendant and others from especially reckless acts. If the court wants to punish the defendant, they will typically use these damages as a way to do so. The amount of punitive damages that will be rewarded to plaintiffs is entirely up to the jury in the case, but these types of damages are limited so that they do not go overboard. In fact, in California, some courts have stated that the punitive damages awarded cannot exceed 10% of the defendant’s net worth.

Have you or somebody you know been affected by the California Camp Fire in extremely detrimental ways? At the Brady Law Group, we are working with many clients who have decided to move forward with a claim against PG&E after they have been injured or lost a loved one in this serious and preventable California wildfire. Whether you have lost somebody in a wrongful death claim or you have received permanent injuries that will follow you through life, you have many options when it comes to the outcome of your case. Contact us to find out how we can help you during this difficult time at (866) 478-6483.