Oregon Court Hears PacifiCorp’s Multibillion Wildfire Appeal

The Oregon Supreme Court heard arguments in PacifiCorp’s appeal of a 2023 jury finding that the utility’s negligence caused four Labor Day 2020 wildfires. The appeal challenges jury instructions that allowed findings about the fires and their causes to apply across a class of more than 2,400 victims; an appeals court ruled those instructions were prejudicial. Victims’ attorneys urged the justices to reinstate the verdict, while PacifiCorp argued the instructions unfairly affected the trial. The decision could determine whether existing damage awards stand or the case returns for a new trial, and could expose PacifiCorp to billions of dollars in additional claims. Many survivors have yet to receive compensation while the appeals process continues.