A Portland jury has awarded $49.7 million to 10 fire survivors in the latest trial in a class action lawsuit against PacifiCorp. A similar trial for another ten survivors starts June 2.
On May 21 in Multnomah County Circuit Court, the jury’s decision was read in James et al vs. PacifiCorp following five days of testimony that began May 13.
The jury awarded $5.28 million in economic damages, $30.25 million in noneconomic damages, $8.89 million in punitive damages and $5.28 million for a wildfire caused by recklessness.
This brings total damages in the case to $373.5 million for 69 plaintiffs across seven trials. More than 1,550 claims remain pending before the court with six additional damages trials scheduled throughout 2025.
PacifiCorp was found liable in 2023 in an initial trial for negligently causing the Santiam, Echo Mountain Complex, South Obenchain and 242 fires over Labor Day 2020. The company denies wrongdoing and has appealed the verdict.
The May 13 trial was the sixth damages trial and, as with previous damages proceedings, the main focus was on non-economic damages for emotional and psychological harm. Jurors heard testimony from fire survivors who described fleeing from the disaster and losing homes, possessions and a sense of safety.
A major difference in this trial was the number of witnesses called by PacifiCorp. Six individuals testified in the company’s defense May 19 including three psychologists and three appraisers. In the past PacifiCorp has called no more than two witnesses, if any, for a damages trial, building the bulk of its case during cross-examination of plaintiff witnesses.
During the May trial defense witnesses testified at length about the psychological histories of individual plaintiffs, with some stating that certain fire survivors had already moved beyond their trauma.
Appraisers also testified that some plaintiffs who had rebuilt had increased their property’s value since the fires. PacifiCorp argued the company should only be liable for the difference between pre-fire values and current property values.
During closing arguments May 20, PacifiCorp asked the jury to award $2.93 million in total economic damages and $3.34 million in total non-economic damages, arguing these sums reflected the evidence and would be the most fair to the company.
Plaintiff attorneys told jurors, if a fire survivor had rebuilt or proved to be mentally resilient, this was not thanks to PacifiCorp and that the company should still be held accountable.
The June 2 trial will feature seven survivors of the Santiam Fire in addition to three from other fires. Additional trials are scheduled for July 7, Aug. 15, Sept. 8, Oct. 6 and Dec. 12.
Parties also plan to meet Aug. 15 to discuss assigning plaintiffs for continuing trials in 2026.
Access to court proceedings provided through cvn.com.
