Stoll Berne attorneys Cody Berne, Maddie Holmes, and Carsen Nies won another multimillion-dollar verdict against PacifiCorp in connection with the 2020 Labor Day Fires.  The judgment that Stoll Berne expects to be entered soon will be for approximately $50 million for the eight plaintiffs in this trial. 

PacifiCorp terrorized the plaintiffs, destroying their homes and belongings in the Echo Mountain and 242 Fires (also known as the Two Four Two Fire).  The fires devastated the small Oregon communities of Otis and Chiloquin.  PacifiCorp ignited the Echo Mountain Fire, 242 Fire, and other fires on Labor Day 2020 and the days after.  PacifiCorp’s fires caused widespread devastation to the homes, property, and livelihoods of thousands of Oregonians.

Over the course of the trial, the jury heard testimony about terrifying evacuations and the losses of treasured belongings.  The jury also heard about the plaintiffs’ struggles in the 5.5 years since the fires. 

In a 2023 trial put on by Stoll Berne and co-counsel that lasted seven weeks, PacifiCorp was found to have acted recklessly, willfully, and with gross negligence in connection with the fires.  During the 2023 trial, PacifiCorp argued that it left the power on despite knowing about the extreme fire danger because people needed to be able to watch Netflix and so stoplights would work.  There were no stoplights in any of the fire areas.

The trial was part of the James et al v. PacifiCorp et al. class action.  Stoll Berne is co-lead counsel with Edelson and Keller Rohrback in the class action.  The class consists of people who were impacted by PacifiCorp’s Labor Day 2020 fires.  Along with Stoll Berne, Edelson, and Keller Rohrback, the plaintiffs are also represented by Johnson Johnson Lucas & Middleton and Nick Kahl.  Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Chanpone Sinlapasai presided over the trial.