Experience in Fire-Related Cases and Bankruptcy
At Andrews & Thornton, we understand the devastating toll wildfires take on families, businesses, and communities. With years of experience representing fire victims, we have seen firsthand how the emotional, physical, and financial aftermath can affect every aspect of victims’ lives. Our compassionate team has a proven track record of success in securing compensation for fire victims, even in the most challenging circumstances.
2017 North Bay Fires
Our team took immediate action when the North Bay Fires devastated California in 2017, burning over 245,000 acres and destroying nearly 9,000 structures. Partner Sean Higgins was appointed to the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in the coordinated litigation for individuals, families, businesses, and vineyards in Napa and Sonoma Counties. We worked tirelessly from the earliest days of the fires, sending two fire investigators to the area before the embers had even cooled.
2018 Camp Fire
The 2018 Camp Fire, the deadliest wildfire in California history, claimed 85 lives and destroyed nearly 80% of the town of Paradise and surrounding areas. Once again, PG&E’s faulty equipment was determined to be the cause.
PG&E Bankruptcy
Our expertise extends beyond fire cases alone. Andrews & Thornton is one of the premiere mass tort bankruptcy firms in the country. We played a critical role in representing creditors and fire victims in the PG&E bankruptcy, including a member of the Tort Claimants’ Committee, the fiduciary panel seated by the U.S. Trustee’s Office to represent the interests of all 80,000 PG&E creditors. We have worked diligently to secure compensation for those affected, ultimately resulting in the creation of a $13.5 billion fund to compensate victims.
PG&E Fire Victim’s Trust
We were selected as litigation counsel for the PG&E Fire Victim’s Trust, a pivotal role in ensuring that additional compensation was recovered for the victims of the North Bay Fires and the Camp Fire. This work involves litigating against responsible third parties and demanding accountability. Through our efforts and those of our co-counsel we have secured hundreds of millions of additional dollars for the fire victims.
Maui Wildfires
In August 2023, wildfires ravaged Maui, devastating the historic town of Lahaina and taking the lives of over 100 people. Andrews & Thornton immediately teamed up with Hawai‘i’s Bickerton Law Group to provide legal support to the affected communities. We are proud to be the first law firm to sue landowners, including the Bishop Estate, for their role in contributing to the fires by failing to maintain vegetation across their land. Our work in litigating against the defendants named in the Maui Fire litigation, especially against the Bishop Estate, was critical to reaching a settlement in principle for our clients.
Bankruptcy Expertise: Protecting Victims’ Rights
While we are hopeful that Southern California Edison has the wherewithal to answer for damages caused by the Eaton Fire, our team has extensive experience in representing victims in some of the largest and most complex bankruptcy proceedings in history. We have also been involved in other major bankruptcy cases, including Purdue Pharma and the Boy Scouts of America. In every case, our focus is on maximizing recoveries for victims, even in the face of complex legal and financial challenges.
A Comprehensive Approach
At Andrews & Thornton, we take a comprehensive approach to fire litigation. We understand that wildfires often result from multiple causes, and we leave no stone unturned in identifying all responsible parties. While some attorneys may focus on easy targets, we look for every opportunity to ensure that victims are fully compensated. Whether it’s filing lawsuits, navigating bankruptcy claims, or managing the complexities of fire victim settlements, Andrews & Thornton is here to stand by your side during life’s most difficult moments. We are committed to helping every victim of a wildfire rebuild, recover, and restore their life after tragedy strikes.
