PG&E Fires and Explosions

In this video, premier California wildfire attorney Mike Danko discusses the systemic negligence of utility companies like Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and the devastating impact of utility-caused fires. With over 20 years of experience, our firm has stood at the forefront of the most significant legal battles in state history, including the 2015 Butte Fire, the 2017 North Bay Fires, and the catastrophic 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise.

When a utility company prioritizes corporate profits over infrastructure safety, the results are often fatal. We specialize in inverse condemnation and wrongful death claims, ensuring that victims receive “just compensation” for property damage, economic loss, and emotional distress. If your home or business was destroyed by a fire sparked by faulty equipment or unmaintained power lines, you need a trial lawyer who knows the utility’s “playbook.”

At Danko Meredith, we don’t just settle cases; we hold powerful corporations accountable. Our team has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for victims of PG&E gas explosions and wildfires. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation to learn how we can help you recover what you’ve lost.

Contact Danko Meredith today for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless they win your case.

Key Takeaways

  1. Unparalleled Experience in High-Stakes Litigation: Mike Danko has spent over two decades successfully litigating against major utilities. His involvement in landmark cases like the Camp Fire and North Bay Fires proves he has the “battle-tested” expertise required to manage multi-billion dollar claims.
  2. Proven Track Record of Success: The firm has a history of achieving massive recoveries, including a $20 million settlement for an underground utility explosion and leading the effort that forced PG&E to pay $10 billion into a trust for Camp Fire survivors.
  3. Judicial Recognition and Leadership: Danko Meredith attorneys are frequently appointed by California judges to serve in leadership roles in coordinated disaster and fire cases, a direct reflection of their standing and authoritativeness within the legal community.
  4. Specialized Tactical Knowledge: The firm understands the internal “business plans” of utilities. By exposing how companies like PG&E factor fire damages into their budgets rather than investing in safety, they build more aggressive and effective cases for their clients.
  5. Commitment to True Accountability: Beyond just financial recovery, the firm is driven by a mission of accountability. They treat every case—whether it’s a “smaller” $500 million claim or a massive community-wide disaster—with the same level of intensity to ensure utilities are punished for their negligence.

Attorney Mike Danko: Why PG&E Was Negligent & Caused the Camp Fire This video provides a deeper dive into Mike Danko’s specific legal arguments regarding utility negligence and the history of PG&E’s safety violations.

Transcript

I’ve been handling cases against utilities such as PG&E—cases involving wildfires and explosions—really for probably 20 years or more. Recently, I handled the Butte Fire in Northern California of 2015; that involved 77,000 acres and over 500 homes. The North Bay Fires of 2017, which wiped out a number of communities and caused over $10 billion worth of damages. The 2018 Camp Fire, which wiped out the community of Paradise in Northern California. Working on Southern California fires, such as the Thomas Fire.”

“And then in addition, there’s a lot of other cases that don’t make the news because they involve damages that are basically less than $500 million. Still, it’s a lot of damages, but to a utility, it’s really not. And I’ve been doing that, like I say, for a number of years.”

“And it’s an area which, unfortunately, is growing because of climate change, basically. I can say this without hesitation: that the utilities, basically as part of their business plan over the years, it has been to allow fires to happen and then deal with the financial consequences rather than spend the money up front to make the system safe. At some point, there has to be accountability. They’ve destroyed people’s lives, killed people, and burned down many houses—in fact, an entire town. At some point, there has to be accountability.