Company Website:
http://www.baronandbudd.com
SONOMA, Calif. -- (Business Wire)
Today, the California Fire Lawyers, including the firms of Baron & Budd,
Singleton Law Firm, Dixon Diab & Chambers LLP, and Thorsnes Bartolotta
McGuire announced that a petition was filed to coordinate all cases
arising out of the devastating Northern California fires against Pacific
Gas & Electric Company. The filing was made yesterday by California Fire
Lawyers, Robins Cloud LLP and Edgar Law Firm petitioning the Judicial
Council of California for a Judicial Council Coordinated Proceeding
(“JCCP”).
By using a JCCP to hear the cases, one judge would oversee all pre-trial
proceedings, eliminating duplication of efforts in the discovery
process, wasting judicial resources and reducing the likelihood of
inconsistent rulings on individual cases. To date, seven cases,
including more than 50 plaintiffs, have been filed against PG&E
Corporation and Pacific Gas & Electric Company for their role in causing
what is being termed the Wine Country Fires.
The Wine Country Fires began on October 8th, causing extensive damages
in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Lake, Solano and Butte Counties. The fires
burned more than 220,000 acres, destroyed more than 8,400 structures and
claimed the lives of more than 40 people.
“The Northern California fires have many similarities to the BP oil
spill in that corporate disasters impact thousands of people,” said
Baron & Budd Shareholder, Scott Summy. “It is important to coordinate
the cases of those impacted in front of one judge who can oversee all
pre-trial legal rulings and discovery because it eliminates inconsistent
rulings and any undue delay in justice.”
“Given the widespread devastation these fires have caused, we have no
doubt that there will be thousands of cases filed against PG&E,” said Ed
Diab of Dixon Diab & Chambers LLP. “Bringing these cases together in
front of one judge is the best way to streamline the legal process for
the victims of these devastating fires.”
California Fire Lawyers have successfully leveraged JCCP proceedings to
expedite justice for victims of wildfires and other corporate disasters.
For example, following the Butte Fire in 2015, the firms led the charge
to coordinate more than 2,000 cases into a JCCP, resulting in the
successful settlement of hundreds of claims. Additionally, lead
attorneys with California Fire Lawyers used a similar process when
representing victims of the BP Oil Spill, resulting in more than $1
billion in settlements for victims.
California Fire Lawyers, comprised of Baron & Budd, Singleton Law Firm,
Dixon Diab & Chambers LLP and Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire have hired
investigators, experts and adjusters to expedite the recovery process
for victims. On October 19, the firms opened their Sonoma Office at 418
B Street, First floor, Santa Rosa, CA 95401. To inquire by phone, call
707-533-8128. Other information can be found online at www.CaliforniaFireLawyers.com.
ABOUT BARON & BUDD, P.C.
The law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C., with offices in Dallas, Baton Rouge,
New Orleans, Austin, Los Angeles, and San Diego, is a nationally
recognized law firm with a nearly 40-year history of “Protecting What’s
Right” for people, communities and businesses harmed by negligence.
Baron & Budd’s size and resources enable the firm to take on large and
complex cases. The firm represents individuals and government and
business entities in areas as diverse as dangerous pharmaceuticals and
medical devices, environmental contamination, the Gulf oil spill,
financial fraud, overtime violations, deceptive advertising, automotive
defects, trucking accidents, nursing home abuse, and asbestos-related
illnesses such as mesothelioma.
ABOUT SINGLETON LAW FIRM, APC
Singleton Law Firm, based in San Diego, is one of the top fire
litigation firms in the state of California. We have represented
thousands of individuals in major fires all over the state of
California, and we have recovered over $600 million for our clients in
fire cases. Our lead attorney, Gerald Singleton, has served as Liaison
Counsel and on the Executive Committees in some of the largest fires in
the state. We currently represent over 2,000 individuals in the 2015
Butte Fire, which was a catastrophic fire started by PG&E power lines
that burned over 70,000 acres in Calaveras and Amador counties. We
recently represented the largest individual group of plaintiffs in the
2013 Powerhouse Fire in Los Angeles County, and Mr. Singleton served as
Liaison Counsel for that case. Prior to the Powerhouse Fire, Singleton
Law Firm was one of four firms who teamed up in a joint venture to
represent over 1,600 individuals in the 2007 San Diego Fires. Although
we specialize in high value cases, we represent individuals and business
with all types of damages, from wrongful deaths to homeowners to renters.
ABOUT DIXON DIAB & CHAMBERS LLP
The lawyers at Dixon Diab & Chambers LLP have gained national
recognition as being some of the top litigators in their respective
areas of practice. Ed Diab leads the firm’s fire litigation practice and
has litigated numerous wildfire cases throughout the country. He was
actively involved in the widely publicized lawsuit against Pacific Gas &
Electric arising out of the 2010 San Bruno Gas Pipeline Explosion that
leveled 38 homes and killed 8. He also currently represents numerous
people in lawsuits against Pacific Gas & Electric that sustained
significant property damages arising out of the 2015 Butte Fire in
Amador/Calaveras County that burned over 70,000 acres. Both Deborah
Dixon and Robert Chambers have significant experience litigating
complex, multi-party lawsuits against entities and insurance companies
on behalf of individuals and businesses. Their experience in personal
injury, business litigation, products liability and class actions
provide integral background for fire cases, as does their direct
experience handling claims on behalf of victims who suffered personal
injury and property damages because of fires.
ABOUT THORSNES BARTOLOTTA MCGUIRE
Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire was founded in 1978 by Michael T. Thorsnes
and Vincent J. Bartolotta Jr. Less than a year later, third partner,
John F. “Mickey” McGuire joined the firm. The firm has six partners
including senior partner Kevin F. Quinn and partners Karen R. Frostrom,
Ian C. Fusselman, and Brett J. Schreiber. Michael Thorsnes retired in
2002 but continues to be involved with the firm in an Of Counsel
capacity. Since its inception the firm has annually earned numerous
commendations, among them designations by American Lawyer Magazine as
one of the top 20 firms in the Nation. The firm was recognized as Best
Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News & World Report and received the
prestigious Tier One ranking for San Diego in the in the categories of
Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Construction; Litigation – Real
Estate; Mass Torts Litigation/Class Actions; Personal Injury Litigation
– Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs. Since that
time, all six partners, as well as our four associates, have had
favorite success stories, none sweeter than those for which they have
been recognized by peers in diverse legal fields ranging from
construction defects to personal injury to medical malpractice to
business litigation. A chronology of the firm includes such awards
conferred with astonishing regularity upon Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire
partners as “Outstanding Trial Lawyer,” “Trial Lawyer of the Year,” and
“Best Lawyers in America”. The firm has just received the prestigious
“Best Law Firms” by U.S. News & World Report for 2018.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171101007012/en/
Contacts:
Baron & Budd, P.C.
Bradley Bowen, 214-523-6633
Source: Baron & Budd, P.C.
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