The Oregon jury has mandated a minimum payment of $29.2M to 10 fire victims for damages and emotional distress caused by the company's alleged negligence in failing to shut off power lines during high winds. This new award adds to the previous $175M given to 26 victims, with the plaintiffs' attorneys suggesting that the total amount owed could exceed $42M when punitive damages and other post-trial expenses are factored in.
Berkshire Hathaway has recently disclosed that it has set aside $1.9B for expected losses related to wildfires in 2023. The company is also facing around $8B in claims in Oregon and California, including demands totaling over $1B from state and federal agencies for firefighting and cleanup costs.
These financial challenges further highlight the impact of the wildfires on Berkshire Hathaway's Pacificorp utility and the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the company's role in the natural disasters.
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