Susman Godfrey Obtains $62M Jury Verdict for Oregon Wildfire Survivors

Susman Godfrey LLP represented ten wildfire survivors in litigation against Oregon utility PacifiCorp arising from the 2020 Labor Day fires. The jury found PacifiCorp liable for starting the historic 2020 Labor Day fires that burned more than one million acres, killed 11 people and destroyed homes and property. The verdict awarded the ten plaintiffs $39.3 million in non-economic damages. PacifiCorp had previously agreed to pay $5.15 million in economic damages; the court, relying on liability findings from a separate 2023 class action that found the utility grossly negligent for refusing to de-energize power lines during a historic wind event, ruled to double the economic damages to $10.3 million and applied a 25% punitive multiplier to the economic and non-economic damages for each plaintiff, bringing the total award to $62 million. The complaints alleged the survivors endured severe emotional distress and mental suffering as they evacuated under life‑threatening conditions that caused injuries and destroyed their homes. "Our clients have suffered devastating losses as a result of PacifiCorp’s reckless disregard," said Shawn Rabin of Susman Godfrey. "This verdict is about more than compensation for the tremendous hardships our clients have endured. It provides them with resources to rebuild their lives and the justice they deserve." Susman Godfrey LLP represented the ten wildfire survivors with a team composed by: Shawn Rabin (partner, lead plaintiff counsel), Bill Carmody (partner), Michael Kelso (partner) and Dustin Fire (associate). The consolidated matters are captioned In re: PacifiCorp in the 4th Judicial District Court of Oregon.

Susman Godfrey Obtains $62M Jury Verdict for Oregon Wildfire Survivors

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