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San Bruno blast ruling goes against PG&E

San Francisco Chronicle -- Judge Steven Dylina of San Mateo County Superior Court did not publicly release the tentative ruling, but attorneys who viewed it said he had rejected PG&E's attempt to be exempted from punitive damages in lawsuits filed by more than 350 people in connection with the September 2010 disaster.

PG&E has admitted negligence in the explosion of a high-pressure natural gas line, which killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes, and has sought to compensate victims for their losses. But the prospect of a jury awarding larger punitive damages, which are designed as a deterrent, would give the plaintiffs leverage in settlement talks.



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Submitted Oct 30, 2012 By: NOTSOGRN
Category: Daily News Article Discussions > Topics Add to favorite topics  
Author Topic: San Bruno blast ruling goes against PG&E Post a Reply Back to Topics
REPLIES (newest first)
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treehood
Champion Author San Diego

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Message Posted: Oct 31, 2012 6:37:11 AM

Punitive Damages. The concept is correct, to punish purposeful wrong behavior and deter others from also doing things harmful to society in general. However PD goes astray when it is awarded to the plaintiffs. It should more properly go to society in general through federal, state and local government.
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LetemEatCake
Champion Author Oklahoma City

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Message Posted: Oct 31, 2012 5:32:15 AM


Interesting article, Thanks!
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K9LO
Champion Author North Dakota

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Message Posted: Oct 31, 2012 4:19:58 AM

I agree with tomok!!!

San Bruno blast ruling goes against PG&E, no pipeline maintenance and they lose! The people with damages will win, don't let it go any other way. Any legal costs will be passed onto PG&E customers.
Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money.
The price of fuel at the pump is too high!
XII/XXII/MMXII!
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tomok
Champion Author Portland

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 9:25:55 PM

San Bruno blast ruling goes against PG&E, no pipeline maintenance and they lose! The people with damages will win, don't let it go any other way. Any legal costs will be passed onto PG&E customers.
Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money.
The price of fuel at the pump is too high!
XII/XXII/MMXII!
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SnakeW
Champion Author North Carolina

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 6:07:48 PM

We'll be paying for it anyway.
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1fulltank
Champion Author Buffalo

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 6:07:19 PM

Punitive damages are awarded to deter future negligence. Negligence has not been adequately proven in this case. Unfortunate accident.
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boatfloyd
Champion Author Jacksonville

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 6:04:52 PM

Good Call
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rawdog1313
Champion Author Lexington

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 6:04:40 PM

The should be held accountable!
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rahcat
Champion Author Grand Rapids

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 6:02:40 PM

Shakespear: Henry VI part 2 "The first thing we do, lets kill all the lawyers".
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mcmonsta
Champion Author Honolulu

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:54:35 PM

admit your wrong and you can pay the price...but what's the price of humanlife?
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bonzoonfmb
Champion Author Florida

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:53:22 PM

PG&E has admitted negligence and are going to compensate the victims - now it is time for the lawyers to do battle.
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bullseye100
Champion Author New Jersey

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:52:23 PM

I hope the victims get what they deserve.
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zantor
Veteran Author San Bernardino

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:51:29 PM

I speculate the problem started with a line worker who was pressured by a low level manager who was pressured by a manager just above him who was pressured by a manager above him. I speculate that nothing was written or officially stated or written-- just implied, i.e. get those numbers down (or up). This is typical in business.
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NAVYHM
All-Star Author Cleveland

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:49:15 PM

NORMAL CORPORATE GREEDY TACTIC'S... NEXT WILL COME THE QUICK, SIGN HERE, ITS OK I'M A LAWYER CRAP... AND LETS NOT FORGET THE QUICK OUT OF COURT SETTLEMENT OFFERS... LOST OF LIVES, HOMES & BELONGINGS= $25,000 OR LESS TOO BIG CORPORATE COMPANY'S...
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GAS1251
Champion Author Texas

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:44:17 PM

DustyHorse- these costs end up getting passed along in higher prices.
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postcard9
All-Star Author Massachusetts

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:41:09 PM

Tough deal.
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abcdMA
Champion Author Worcester

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:38:35 PM

Interesting
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GAS1251
Champion Author Texas

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:36:00 PM

They need to temper the punative damages. PG&E should pay fair compensation but outrageous punative damages encourage frivilous lawsuits.
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OGW
Champion Author London

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:35:14 PM

Lawyers go for the biggest settlement they can get and usually claim a percentage for their fee so bigger is better to them but settlements should be fair to those damaged and cover all their real loses but not a lottery type win like the powerball.
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DustyHorse
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:30:50 PM

And this affects gas prices how?
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FlyNFool
Champion Author South Carolina

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:30:42 PM

ok
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libertyut
Champion Author Utah

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:29:35 PM

God Bless
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LetemEatCake
Champion Author Oklahoma City

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:26:46 PM


What is a family member's life worth? Is there a price?

Best wishes and blessings to the families.
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TxMtb
Champion Author Ohio

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:24:14 PM

They need to pay up for the mistake, cost of doing business in an unsafe manner, as with BP.
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gd83goldwinger
Champion Author South Bend

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:22:34 PM

Best of wishes to the families.
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jl1rp
Champion Author New Hampshire

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:22:16 PM

wow
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Dodge_Me
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:21:02 PM

Best wishes to the families
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mstearno
Champion Author Dayton

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:17:00 PM

who cares
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Skimo2012
Rookie Author Cleveland

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:15:16 PM

There is always next time...
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diesel8888
Champion Author Salt Lake City

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:14:47 PM

Ok
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gumbyrex
Champion Author Fresno

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:14:29 PM

A just decision. PG&E must pay for their mistake.
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bvrbill
Champion Author Eugene

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:13:55 PM

PG&E should pay a fair amount. Litigation is not the lottery.
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serrog
Champion Author Nova Scotia

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:10:43 PM

messy
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wayoung56
Champion Author Alabama

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:06:03 PM

At least they owned up to it, but they should not be hammered for more than the actual losses...
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REKEY
Champion Author South Carolina

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:05:13 PM

Did they expect to win?
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SavALot
Champion Author Virginia Beach

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 5:03:44 PM

PG&E definitely loses in this deal
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s6sputnik
Champion Author Austin

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 4:56:15 PM

Ok
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30mpg80
Champion Author Lexington

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 4:54:51 PM

Have to pay for negligence
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jad1960
Champion Author Gary

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 4:54:44 PM

Lawyers are vampires out for money.
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Suzy7Q
Champion Author Wisconsin

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 4:52:22 PM

Lawyers are always the only winners.
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bevmill
Champion Author Georgia

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 4:51:52 PM

Oh No you don't say.
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Blue48
Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 4:51:32 PM

SHAME ON YOU PG&E!
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KhelbenArunson
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 4:40:18 PM

good.
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tco9436
Champion Author Connecticut

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 4:36:46 PM

Uh OH
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theschmuck
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 4:36:33 PM

The courts are hell.
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dumba55
Sophomore Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 4:35:58 PM

what!
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Lbro
Champion Author Denver

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 4:34:45 PM

Well...
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mrbee
Champion Author Little Rock

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 4:34:01 PM

Lawyers!
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Rei2012
Rookie Author Los Angeles

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 4:33:54 PM

This is a hard lesson for companies like PG&E
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us4usa
Champion Author Missouri

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Message Posted: Oct 30, 2012 4:33:33 PM

So what is the price of ones life or your life???
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