A Different Perspective

Fires caused by electric power lines are in most cases entirely preventable. Companies that put their bottom lines above the safety of the public need be held accountable, not only to compensate those people harmed, but also to change their ways. Public safety must be first, and not second. 

The harm caused by fire can be devastating. People die in horrible ways. First responders risk their lives to protect others and their property.  People lose their homes, which is a much greater loss than losing a house. Personal property gathered over the years is destroyed, along with keepsakes and photos that helped keep memories alive. Fleeing a nearby fire is no joke. Veterans have said that escaping a raging fire was the most scared they had been in their lives, second only to enemy fire. Lives are upended, and the mental suffering is very real and very serious. When an electric utility causes a preventable fire by inadequate care of its power lines, the only real recourse – for compensation and to improve safety – is through the courts. 

Our perspective on power line fires, gained from deep experience, forms our approach to representation of people harmed by these fires. What we offer is knowledgeable, experienced, highly personalized, ethical, and determined representation of families, farmers, vintners, and businesses to maximize recovery in a forceful and honest way. 

We understand each case is different and deserves personalized attention. We also understand that you have a choice among many lawyers to represent you. What we offer is different from many others competing for your representation. If you choose us, you will not be part of a lawyer assembly line or class action, which tend to mostly benefit the lawyers; nor will you be lost in the shuffle of hundreds of clients. We are not interested in “getting the most cases.”

We are dedicated to gaining full and fair compensation for our clients by diligent presentation of their cases both as to utility fault and client damages. It is important we make a difference in how utilities operate so these fires will not happen again. 

Our Attorneys

Knowledge and Experience 

One thing that distinguishes our attorneys from others is knowledge and experience in power line fire cases. Power line fire litigation is a small and discrete world. Not many attorneys have the necessary knowledge and experience to handle these cases well against determined utility opposition. Tom Tosdal, Michael Feinberg, and Angela Jae Chun gained valuable experience in litigating fault and preparing and settling client damages over the six years it took to litigate the 2007 San Diego fire cases. 

Representing over 550 families and businesses, the team of which they were a part of recovered over half a billion dollars for the victims of those fires against SDG&E. While a number of attorneys represented clients in the San Diego fires, none were more central to the plaintiffs’ efforts than Tom.

Our experience does not stop there, as we have been hired to do power line fire cases in other states.  In 2015, Tom and two colleagues tried a power line fire case to a jury in New Mexico. They proved that two electric utilities had negligently caused the fire, ultimately winning the case and recovering millions of dollars.  

Fair and Competitive Fee 

Recognizing the massive losses caused by the Wine Country Fires, we offer a fair and competitive fee for our services.

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