Fire survivors described their losses in strong terms during the latest trial against PacifiCorp over the 2020 wildfires, including one plaintiff who said her experience was like being sexually violated.
A Portland jury awarded $50.6 million to eight fire survivors today after a trial that began Feb. 9 in James et al vs. PacifiCorp in Multnomah County Circuit Court.
This included $2.3 million in economic damages, $36.3 million in non-economic damages, $9.7 million in punitive damages and $2.3 million for a wildfire caused by recklessness.
This brings total damages in the case to $687 million for 128 fire survivors. Weekly trials continue in an effort to resolve nearly 1,600 pending claims, including a trial that began Tuesday for 15 survivors of the Santiam Fire.
PacifiCorp was found negligently liable in 2023 for causing the Santiam, Echo Mountain Complex, South Obenchain and 242 fires. The company denies wrongdoing and has appealed the verdict on the grounds that there was insufficient evidence to bring the matter to trial.
The latest trial saw plaintiffs such as Terri Runft, of Chiloquin, describe her experience in stark terms.
Runft lost her home and most of her belongings in the 242 Fire including a pet cat and her husband’s ashes, and said PacifiCorp had no right to take these things. When thinking about what she lost, Runft said she feels anger, sadness, frustration and “a feeling of violation.”
“It’s almost like getting raped,” said Runft. “Something was taken away from you.”
Jaimie Duvall, of Otis, also lost his home and personal property including many items belonging to his late father. Duvall testified these items helped him feel a deep connection to his father, and now not only are they lost but there’s a new association between his father and the fire.
“When I think of him, it makes me think of the fire,” said Duvall. “And when I think of the fire I get mad and sad. So now when I think of my dad I get mad and sad.”
Plaintiff Karen Lund said she used to collect family memorabilia but is now “nervous” about bringing items of sentimental value into her home. She said her sister has a quilt made by their mother and as much as Lund would like to accept it she feels frightened.
“The thought of losing [my collection] again just hurts my heart,” said Lund.
Her husband, Ted Lund, died in 2024 before his claims could be brought to trial. Karen Lund said the fire caused her husband to spend his final years toiling to rebuild their home rather than relaxing to enjoy life.
PacifiCorp argued the plaintiffs did experience significant losses, but that jurors should not “amplify” those losses by awarding exorbitant damages. The company suggested $4 million in total non-economic damages, ranging from $300,000 to $750,000 individually, and said this would be enough to make plaintiffs whole.
Plaintiff attorneys said jurors should take fire survivors at their word when they described feeling shattered and hopeless, and use their own judgment to determine what this harm was worth.
Access to court proceedings made possible through cvn.com.
