PORTLAND, Ore. (April 8, 2026) — The Oregon Court of Appeals has reversed a 2023 jury verdict in the James class action lawsuit tied to the devastating Labor Day 2020 wildfires, sending the case back to the trial court for further proceedings.
The decision marks a significant development in one of the major legal battles stemming from the 2020 wildfires, which destroyed thousands of homes and displaced communities across Oregon.
Utility company PacifiCorp responded to the ruling Wednesday, stating that the court’s decision reinforces its longstanding concerns about how the case was handled.
“PacifiCorp is sensitive to the profound losses experienced by members of our communities. There are no winners in wildfire,” the company said in a statement. “However, the Court’s decision supports PacifiCorp’s longstanding belief that this process was prejudicial and not appropriate for managing wildfire litigation.”
The James class action lawsuit was one of several filed against PacifiCorp following the Labor Day 2020 wildfires, which were among the most destructive in state history. Plaintiffs alleged the utility’s equipment played a role in igniting or worsening the fires.
The appellate court’s ruling does not end the litigation but instead returns the case to the trial court, where it may be retried or otherwise reconsidered under revised legal guidance.
PacifiCorp emphasized that it remains open to resolving what it described as “reasonable claims” while continuing to defend against allegations it considers unsupported. The company also called for broader, coordinated approaches to wildfire risk across the state.
In its statement, PacifiCorp highlighted ongoing investments in wildfire mitigation, including improved situational awareness, enhanced vegetation management, strengthened electrical systems, and the use of advanced monitoring technologies.
The outcome of the remanded case could have wide-ranging implications for wildfire liability and utility regulation in Oregon as communities continue to recover from the 2020 disaster.
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