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PG&E Equipment Tagged By Investigators After Mosquito Fire in Placer County

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
helicopter attempting to put out wildfirePG&E says it has filed a report with the state after its equipment was marked with caution tape by investigators who are looking into the Mosquito Fire in Placer County. This is not the first time the company has been linked to wildfires in California. In 2019, PG&E filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy after being forced to pay millions in fines for damages caused by the 2018 Camp Fire that destroyed thousands of homes and killed 85 people. Only a year later the company re-emerged and was once again blamed for the 2021 Dixie Fire by investigators. The Arnold Law Firm is actively investigating the Dixie Fire and now the Mosquito Fire for PG&E’s involvement. If you were injured or lost a loved one in these devastating fires, our attorneys are prepared to discuss your legal options. We offer a free consultation, and there are no upfront fees.

How Can a Lawyer Help Me?

Under California law, utility companies may be financially liable for damages caused by their equipment. However, large companies often have significant resources to help protect their interests, not the interests of the victims of negligence. Having an attorney on your side who is prepared and has the resources to investigate your claim is vital. Our attorneys have access to expert witnesses, government documents and other resources to build a strong case. You do not pay us anything while we work on your case, so there is no risk in calling us today.

What Help is Available Now?

There are several resources available to victims of the Mosquito Fire, including:

What is the Significance of the Filing of a Report?

PG&E says it filed a report with the state “out of an abundance of caution” after it was made aware of its equipment being tagged by investigators. At this time, the company says it has not observed any damage or abnormal conditions to its equipment. However, the information is still preliminary. If this changes, PG&E is legally required to update the report, which could be used as evidence in claims against the company.

PG&E Criminal Probation

In January 2022, PG&E exited criminal probation following what a judge called a “five-year crime spree.” In the span of those five years, PG&E was found criminally negligent for several California wildfires that left dozens dead. The U.S. Attorney’s office declined to extend the company’s probation, despite the judge’s report scrutinizing the oversight of the utility company. More charges may be coming due to the Dixie Fire in 2021, though.

Contact Us Today for Legal Assistance

The Arnold Law Firm is prepared to take your call to discuss your legal options if you or a loved one were affected by the Mosquito Fire. We do not charge you anything up front or while we work on your case. You only pay us if we successfully recover compensation for you.

Call 916-777-77777 to schedule a free consultation.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.