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Posted on October 17, 2025 written by Jane Paulson
Some verdicts do more than award damages; they tell the story of survival and accountability. The $49 Million Verdict Against PacifiCorp, handed down in Portland, is one of those moments.
At Paulson Coletti, we stood with wildfire survivors who lost homes, memories, and peace of mind during the Labor Day 2020 fires. As a Portland personal injury lawyer, our mission was to strengthen their voices in court and show what a community can achieve when it demands justice.
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The February 2025 verdict was not only about financial recovery; it was also about recognizing PacifiCorp’s gross negligence in failing to protect communities during the Labor Day fires. Under Oregon law, gross negligence is more than a mistake; it reflects reckless disregard for safety so extreme that it violates people’s rights.
This conduct leaves no doubt about responsibility. The jury awarded seven wildfire survivors $48.25 million, including:
With over $260 million awarded across 43 plaintiffs, the $49 Million Verdict Against PacifiCorp is one of the most significant moments in Oregon wildfire litigation.
Numbers alone cannot capture what survivors endured. Families described escaping with fire closing in, leaving behind homes built over decades. One plaintiff, a former firefighter, said nothing compared to the terror of driving his family through a quarter-mile of fire near Lyons.
The next day, his home was gone. “You work all your life to get to this point and, in a heartbeat, it’s gone,” he told jurors. Attorney John Coletti reminded the jury that damages are about more than belongings. “It’s one thing to burn a person’s house, it’s another thing to burn their spirit,” he said.
His words showed why non-economic damages matter, recognizing the invisible scars survivors carry long after the flames.
This latest victory is part of a much larger class action. Eight more damage trials are scheduled in 2025, and hundreds of claims remain unresolved. Judges have encouraged settlement talks, yet PacifiCorp continues to push for jury trials.
Each verdict builds on the last, and the $49 Million Verdict Against PacifiCorp shapes expectations for survivors still waiting.
The Labor Day wildfires of 2020 devastated Oregon, including the Santiam, Echo Mountain Complex, South Obenchain, and 242 fires. Entire towns were uprooted, thousands were displaced, and families were left to return to ashes.
A liability trial in 2023 determined PacifiCorp was negligent and reckless in its role, creating a foundation for survivors to pursue damages. Despite ongoing appeals, juries in Oregon have consistently sided with those who lost everything.
Courtrooms have been filled with accounts of fear and heartbreak. Families fled with children, pets, and little else. Some returned to find nothing left, and others still carry the emotional toll of that night.
These stories showed jurors why damages went beyond financial loss, proving this case is about dignity, safety, and recognition.
PacifiCorp’s attorneys have argued for lower awards, suggesting $500,000 per person as fair compensation. They warned against damages “about more than recovery.” Given the scale of destruction, juries consistently rejected that position.
The company has appealed previous verdicts, but Oregon juries have shown little patience for minimizing corporate accountability in disasters of this scale.
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The scope of the litigation is massive. Nearly 1,600 claims remain active, with thousands of potential additional plaintiffs. A class action allows people harmed in the same way to pursue justice together, amplifying their collective voice.
For wildfire survivors, it means strength in numbers and consistent verdicts that reinforce the responsibility PacifiCorp bears. Each substantial award strengthens those still waiting, and the $49 Million Verdict Against PacifiCorp sets the tone for what’s ahead.
The $49 Million Verdict Against PacifiCorp is more than a number; it is a message that survivors’ voices matter and reckless corporate conduct will not go unanswered.
These verdicts set a precedent in wildfire litigation, shaping how similar cases will be judged and reminding communities that accountability is possible.
Losing a home or community cannot be undone, but accountability brings recognition and resources. At Paulson Coletti, we proudly stand with wildfire survivors.
The $49 Million Verdict Against PacifiCorp shows what determined advocacy can achieve. Call 503-226-6361 to speak with a Portland personal injury lawyer ready to fight for you.
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This page has been written, edited, and fact-checked by our team of legal writers in accordance with our editorial guidelines. It has been approved by partners Jane Paulson and John Coletti—respected trial attorneys with decades of experience representing personal injury victims.
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