A wildfire raged through Calaveras County burning 70,000 acres and hundreds of homes. The fire started when a tree contacted a PG&E power line. We determined that PG&E should have trimmed the tree to keep the powerline safe. PG&E proclaimed that the fire was not the result of a tree touching its power line but, if it was, it was all the fault of an independent tree trimming contractor. We proved that PG&E failed to properly train the contractor. In addition, PG&E’s bonus system encouraged outside contractors to avoid trimming trees to save PG&E money.
The judge agreed with us, ruling that the fire was PG&E’s responsibility. We obtained a court order holding PG&E liable for our clients’ losses.