After one of the most complicated bankruptcy cases in U.S. history, the PG&E Chapter 11 bankruptcy saga is now reaching its end. But despite the year and a half it took to get here, PG&E utility company may still not be adequately equipped to keep its 16 million customers safe and provide them with power.

PG&E filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy at the beginning of 2019, as it faced billions of dollars in liability for its role in causing a number of major California wildfires.

In a unanimous vote, California power regulators approved Pacific Gas & Electric’s $58 billion bankruptcy plan, according to the New York Times. The confirmation hearing also began on May 27.

After this approval by power regulators, PG&E issued a statement in which it promised to do better, and company CEO Bill Johnson said the approved plan “will help PG&E become the utility that our customers and communities expect and deserve.”

However, this does not mean that the company’s—or its customers’—problems are over. Indeed, there are ongoing concerns about whether or not the utility giant is able to safely operate its electrical grid to provide power to its customers in the northern two-thirds of California. The aging electrical grid that led to these fires in the first place may still be an issue.

In fact, just hours before the Public Utilities Commission voted on the PG&E Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan, a federal judge railed at PG&E for its history of engaging in reckless behavior and endangering lives, as well as continuing this behavior and, he believes, endangering even more.

“If there ever was a corporation that deserved to go to prison, it is PG&E,” said U.S. District Judge William Alsup.

However, even though corporations are in some situations considered legal persons, companies can’t be sent to jail. This is fortunate for PG&E, since it is preparing to plead guilty to 84 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter for the Paradise wildfire of 2018. For this, the company will be fined a maximum of $4 million, the Seattle Times reports.

Alsup expressed worries that California power regulators have failed to do all they could to prevent “a recalcitrant criminal” from causing yet more wildfires, destruction, and death as California’s infamous summer heat approaches.

Despite Alsup’s strong words, PG&E achieved the vote it needed from California power regulators to continue on with its PG&E Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan.

Through the bankruptcy process, PG&E settled claims from Northern California fires attributed to the company for $25.5 billion, though only $13.5 billion went to wildfire victims, with $11 billion going to insurance companies and the rest going to cities, counties, and other public entities. Half of the amount dedicated to wildfire victims consists of PG&E stock. Critics worry that PG&E stock will be worth considerably less, potentially leading to survivors of these fires being paid much less than what they were owed.

If you have been affected by a PG&E wildfire, even if you have already received compensation from an insurance claim, you may be entitled to additional compensation.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially in the wake of something as atraumatic as a wildfire, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation. Even if you’ve already received some compensation, you may not have received all of what you’re actually due.

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.