Ventura Joins Parties Suing Utility For Thomas Fire

Posted by: Curt Varone July 23, 2018 0

The City of Ventura has joined a growing number of parties suing Southern California Edison over the Thomas Fire last year. The lawsuit claims that the utility is responsible for causing the fire that began December 4, 2017.

According to Cal Fire, the Thomas Fire burned 281,893 acres (440 square miles), destroying 1,063 structures and damaging 280 more. Damage estimates now exceed $2 billion, including $220 million in suppression costs.

The City of Ventura’s lawsuit was filed in Ventura County Superior Court. It accuses Southern California Edison with “negligent and improper operation of the power lines and related equipment.” The city is seeking $4 million in damages.

Suits have already been filed against the utility by over 300 parties, including suits over the catastrophic mudslides that followed the Thomas Fire in January 2018. The mudslides killed 21 people. More on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
© Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved. | FireLawBlog.com & Curt Varone | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
x

Check Also

Suit Against FD Alleges False Arrest and Conspiracy

A lawsuit accusing a volunteer fire department, two firefighters, three police officers, and two law enforcement agencies with assault, battery, false arrest, conspiracy, and a host of civil rights violations, has been removed to the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Steven Makowsky filed suit earlier this year in Nassau County Supreme Court.

KCMO Challenges Arbitration Award in Triple Fatal Crash

The City of Kansas City is appealing an arbitration decision that reduced the disciplinary penalty for the firefighter responsible for the 2021 triple-fatal apparatus crash to a three-day suspension without pay. Dominic Biscari was driving Kansas City’s Pumper 19, when it ran a red light, collided with an SUV, struck several parked cars, came to rest in a building, and in the process killed three people.