Two families who lost loved ones a year ago during the Santiam Canyon wildfires have filed wrongful death lawsuits in Multnomah County.
The lawsuits allege the power company failed to prevent their deaths when it didn't turn off power amid warnings of historic winds that could fuel wildfires, and that Marion County and Stayton emergency agencies failed to adequately alert residents as the fire raced toward communities.
Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys, a personal injury law firm in Portland, filed the lawsuits on behalf of the Mosso/Tofte family and the Cook family.
Peggy Mosso and Wyatt Tofte, a 71-year-old grandmother and 13-year-old grandson, died while trying to escape the Labor Day 2020 wildfires. Cathy Cook and Justin Cook, a 71-year-old mother and 41-year-old son, also died.
All four died on North Fork Road SE, where they lived.
Angela Mosso, Peggy's daughter and Wyatt's mother, survived the fires but suffered extensive burns.
The Mosso/Tofte lawsuit includes two wrongful death claims, as well as claims for Angela's injuries and the infliction of emotional distress on her and Chris Tofte, Wyatt's father. It seeks $102 million in damages.
The Cook lawsuit involves two wrongful death claims and seeks $40 million in damages.
"Both families have been destroyed by what happened and at this point we just want to get to the bottom of why and how this tragedy occurred, and hopefully prevent it from ever happening again," John Coletti of Paulson Coletti wrote in an email...
Read Full Story: https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2021/09/12/oregon-families-cook-tofte-beachie-creek-wildfires-lawsuits-pacificorp-pacific-power-marion/8262721002/
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