Three Powerhouse Law Firms Unite in Fight for Thomas Fire and Montecito Mudslide Victims

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The law firms of Panish
Shea & Boyle LLP, Cotchett,
Pitre & McCarthy LLP, and Walkup,
Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger have come together to investigate
claims of negligence against Southern California Edison (SCE) that have
led to the deaths of at least 23 people, the displacement of
tens-of-thousands more, and the destruction of over 1,300 homes and
structures as a result of the Thomas Fire and subsequent mudslides in
Montecito, California.

Beginning on December 4, 2017, the Thomas Fire wreaked havoc in Ventura
and Santa Barbara counties as it burned more than 280,000 acres, making
it the most destructive wildfire in California's history. Two people
were killed and over 1,063 homes and structures were destroyed before
the firestorm was fully contained and evacuations were lifted.

Six weeks after the Thomas Fire began, these communities were devastated
once again. Torrential rains poured down charred hillsides now bare of
vegetation, resulting in deadly flash floods and mudslides that
destroyed 128 homes, damaged hundreds more, injured 28 people, and
claimed the lives at least 21 residents in the community of Montecito –
the cause of death of each victim identified by the Santa
Barbara County Coroner's Office as “multiple traumatic injures due
to flash flood with mudslides due to recent wildfire.” Rescue and
recovery crews work around the clock to locate two people who remain
missing and repair infrastructure in the wake of these disasters.

Fires caused by the failure of power lines and poorly maintained
equipment owned and operated by utility companies regularly rank among
the top sources of wildfires throughout California. State regulators,
including the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL
Fire), other fire agencies, and the California Public Utilities
Commission, have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the
Thomas Fire, with Southern California Edison (SCE) at the forefront of
the investigation. The utility has a history of noncompliance with state
law in failing to do its due diligence in maintaining its equipment in
order to reduce the risk of fire.

“There are systemic problems with utility companies in California that
fail to adhere to their own policies, and in my experience, Southern
California Edison is no different,” said Brian
Panish, who serves as co-lead trial counsel in litigation against
SoCalGas and Sempra Energy, representing more than 7,000 victims
impacted as a result of the 2015 Aliso Canyon Gas Well Blowout in Porter
Ranch. "Time and time again, California residents suffer the
consequences of disasters resulting from a utility’s diminished standard
of care. We must hold these companies accountable for putting their
profits over the safety of the people they serve.”

The firms of Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP,
and Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger have extensive experience in
litigation against utility companies and, together, have recovered
hundreds of millions of dollars for fire victims. Members of this
consortium have led the charge for victims impacted by the 2010 San
Bruno Gas Explosion, the 2015 Butte Fire in Amador County, and represent
hundreds of victims of the 2017 North Bay Fires who have suffered total
property loss or the loss of a loved one.

While the process will be long in recovering compensation for damages
sustained as a result of the Thomas Fire, these respected law firms have
the resources and tenacity to see the matter to conclusion. Their
combined experience includes prosecution of wildland and wild fires
caused by utility line failures, with attorneys specializing in wrongful
death, catastrophic injury, and property damage litigation. Companies
like Southern California Edison must be held accountable for their
negligent actions.

If you were impacted by the Thomas Fire and/or Montecito Mudslides and
wish to discuss your legal options, please call us at (877) 497-3549 or
visit online at www.wildfirevictims.com.

About Panish Shea & Boyle LLP

Panish Shea & Boyle LLP represents plaintiffs in wrongful death,
catastrophic personal injury, property loss, product liability, mass
torts and business litigation cases. Firm attorneys have dedicated
themselves to obtaining justice for clients who are often dealing with a
life-altering injury, death of a family member or other challenges
caused by the wrongful act of another. The firm has obtained some of the
most significant verdicts and settlements for plaintiffs including the
largest personal injury verdict in United States history ($4.9 billion
against General Motors), as well as some of the largest verdicts against
SoCalGas including a $19.8 million verdict in 2014 to a man who suffered
severe burn and traumatic brain injuries when his rental home exploded
as a result of SoCalGas' negligence. The firm is consistently ranked
among the best plaintiff's law firms in the country, including by U.S.
News & World Report, where it has been recognized as a Tier One law firm
in the areas of Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation and Plaintiffs
Product Liability Litigation, as well as by the National Law Journal
which has named the firm in its list of Elite Trial Lawyers. The firm's
attorneys are frequently recognized as among the best trial lawyers in
California, receiving Lawyer of the Year honors from various
organizations, including the Consumer Attorneys of California, the
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, the American Board of
Trial Advocates-Los Angeles Chapter, California Lawyer Magazine and Best
Lawyers.

About Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy

Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy only represents people or entities in cases
involving just principles or causes. The key to the firm's success is
its experienced attorneys and staff and their innovative approach to
litigating complex matters in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
Firm attorneys consistently tackle this problem head-on with its
teamwork approach to obtaining fair and reasonable resolutions. The firm
is also known for the breadth of its practice and the diversity of its
clients: CPM attorneys are experienced in personal injury, consumer
class actions, state and federal false claims matters, antitrust law,
securities actions, and employment law among other practice areas.

About Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger

As one of the premier personal injury firms in the United States,
attorneys at Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger have successfully
represented injured people in both state and federal courts, before
arbitration hearing boards and in mediation and settlement conferences.
For nearly six decades, we have helped establish new law and used
personal injury litigation to compel corporations to produce safer
products. As leaders in the areas of personal injury and wrongful death
litigation, our attorneys have helped shape personal injury law, while
securing millions of dollars in financial compensation for injured
clients.

Contacts

Panish Shea & Boyle LLP
Angela Bailey, (909) 286-4040
[email protected]