Butte Fire Litigation

A devastating wildfire raged through Calaveras County, burning 70,000 acres and hundreds of homes. The fire started when a tree leaned against a PG&E power line. We determined that PG&E should have trimmed the tree to keep the power line safe.

PG&E proclaimed that the fire was not the result of a tree touching its power line but argued that, if it was, it was entirely the fault of an independent tree trimming contractor.

Overcoming Utility Defenses: We proved that PG&E failed to properly train the contractor. The judge agreed, ruling that the fire was entirely PG&E’s responsibility.

We’ve successfully obtained compensation for hundreds of our Butte clients. Some clients used their settlement money to rebuild their homes on site, while others used the funds to rebuild elsewhere. Each client made his or her own decision as to what was best for them.

Summary of the Butte Fire Recovery

What We Recovered Money For

Utility wildfire claims seek to cover the full spectrum of structural, financial, and deeply personal losses. For our Butte Fire clients, we recovered money for:

• Property & Rebuilding Costs: The value of the home destroyed, alongside the actual cost to rebuild the home either on-site or elsewhere.
• Land & Vegetation: The cost to replace trees and landscaping that were on the property.
• Displacement Expenses: The cost of living away from the home during the aftermath.
• General Personal Property: Personal belongings lost in the fire, including large assets like boats, bulldozers, and old cars.
• Sentimental Property & Keepsakes: Compensation for invaluable personal items that hold deep sentimental value, including:
  • Guns passed down from ancestors
  • Children’s artwork
  • Coin collections and bug collections
  • Newspaper clippings and family photographs
• Animals & Pets: Lost family pets, as well as livestock such as chickens and pigs.
• Emotional Toll: Financial compensation for the immense inconvenience, worry, and emotional distress associated with surviving the Butte Fire.

Why the Choice of Attorney Matters

When massive utility corporations attempt to shift blame onto independent contractors to avoid liability, your choice of legal representation matters. Danko Meredith has the trial experience and resources to push past corporate denials, uncover structural training failures, and fight aggressively until the court establishes full accountability.

“I want to thank you and your team for all the work you did since the fire. I appreciate you taking time to answer my many phone calls, fighting PG&E to the end, and all your monthly status updates. We feel that if it wasn’t for you, PG&E would have gotten away with it. We’re so glad we found you. . .”

— Butte Fire Client

Contact Danko Meredith

If you or your family has been affected by a California utility wildfire or disaster, we want to hear from you. We offer free consultations and handle all wildfire cases on a contingency basis — no fees, no costs, unless we recover for you.

Free Consultation and Case Evaluation

To share your story, check on lawsuit updates, or explore attorney referral options, contact our firm today