PG&E fire victims get more time to file claims — and possibly more money

J.D. Morris Nov. 12, 2019 Updated: Nov. 12, 2019 4:33 p.m.

Devastation is seen in the town of Paradise (Butte County) after the Camp Fire destroyed much of the town. Victims of the November 2018 fire, which was linked to PG&E equipment, are among those who have more time to seek payment from the utility as part of its bankruptcy case.

Photo: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images 2018

People who lost homes and loved ones to the 2017 and 2018 wildfires sparked by Pacific Gas and Electric Co. power lines now have until the end of the year to seek payment from the utility as part of its bankruptcy case.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali on Tuesday agreed to give fire victims until Dec. 31 to file a form saying they have a claim against PG&E — a necessary step for them to recoup money from the company. He also appointed a special claims representative to find victims who had not filed claims and inform them of their rights.

The original deadline was Oct. 21, but attorneys for the committee representing fire victims involved in the case had asked for more time, saying many people were unable to submit the form because they mistakenly thought they could not file one or were hindered by their injuries, living conditions or trauma stemming from the fires.

"Thousands of fire victims remain displaced and many are confused about the details of the claims deadline," said Kirk Trostle, a member of the wildfire victims' committee, in a statement. "This extension is critical for reaching those victims so that they do not forfeit their right to the compensation they need to rebuild their lives."

Separately, Bloomberg News reported Monday that PG&E is now willing to pay fire victims $13.5 billion as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy — the same amount as a rival plan backed by a group of bondholders. PG&E's plan initially envisioned setting up a trust of $8.4 billion from which fire victims' claims would be paid. The trust would also pay for claims from governmental entities that were not part of an earlier $1 billion settlement with PG&E.

Shares of the utility's parent company, PG&E Corp., closed Tuesday at $7.06, up nearly 13%.

But the parties are still debating how PG&E would structure the payment, particularly the mix of cash and stock it would entail, Bloomberg reported.

PG&E spokeswoman Lynsey Paulo said the company is "committed to satisfying all wildfire claims in full" as required by a new state law that seeks to end the company's bankruptcy by June 30, and as PG&E has already laid out in its own plan to resolve the case.

"PG&E remains committed to working with the individual claimants to fairly and reasonably resolve their claims and will continue to work to do so," she said.

Regarding the new claims deadline, PG&E issued a statement saying it "remains focused on ensuring fire victims and creditors are compensated fairly and expeditiously through the Chapter 11 process." Anyone who thinks they are owed money because of any loss or injury from fires prior to PG&E's bankruptcy filing in January must file a proof of claim form by Dec. 31, the
company said.

How to file a claim

Claim forms can be filed online at https://restructuring.primeclerk.com/pge/EPOC-Index or in person at one of the following service centers that PG&E says will be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time, excluding public holidays:

350 Salem St., Chico, CA 95928

231 D St., Marysville, CA 95901

1850 Soscol Ave., Suite 105, Napa, CA 94559

1567 Huntoon St., Oroville, CA 95965

3600 Meadow View Road, Redding, CA 96002

111 Stony Circle, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Claim forms can also be mailed to the following address:

PG&E Corporation Claims Processing Center

c/o Prime Clerk LLC

Grand Central Station

P.O. Box 4850

New York, NY 10163-4850

In his written order extending the claims deadline, Montali tasked the special representative he appointed, Michael Kasolas, with locating victims who had not yet filed a form and implementing a process to provide notice of the extension. Kasolas is also charged with helping victims file their claims and working with a claims administrator that will establish a physical presence in the fire zones where representatives will receive forms, Montali said.

Source: https://www.sfchronicle.com/california-wildfires/article/PG-E-fire-victims-get-more-time-to-file-claims-14829042.php