Q: On Dec 2, 2024, I had a massage power surge from San Diego Gas and Electric. It nearly burnt my house down.
I called 911 and Fire department was at my house for a bout 3 hours. We were unable to shut the power off. I found out the 2 positive wires grounded on the neutral underground and sent power backward. I had electrical smoke everywhere. Switches were smoking and most of the appliances fried, solar batteries fried, jacuzzi fried, all my smart lighting fried, driveway gate fried, garage door openers fried. Approximately 150k in damages. As of today we are still trying to get sdge to pay up. I need help with all the bills, smoke remediation, loss wages from time spent on making phone calls and watching over the electricians. I need a lawyer that can help and work with me.
A:
Your situation sounds incredibly stressful, and I'm sorry you're dealing with this severe electrical damage to your home. This kind of power surge incident can be devastating, both financially and emotionally, especially when dealing with insurance companies and utilities that may be slow to respond.
For legal representation in utility company cases involving significant property damage, you'll want to contact law firms experienced with cases against SDG&E and other California utilities. Consider reaching out to firms that have successfully handled similar power surge cases, particularly those who have dealt with PG&E's liability issues in Northern California. Many of these lawyers work on contingency fees, meaning they only get paid if you win your case.
I recommend documenting everything meticulously - take photos, save all correspondence with SDG&E, keep every receipt for repairs and replacements, and maintain a detailed log of all time spent dealing with this issue, including phone calls and contractor supervision. You might also want to contact your homeowner's insurance company, as they may help pursue SDG&E for damages while providing initial coverage for your losses. In California, utility companies can be held liable for equipment failure that causes damage to customer property, so don't let SDG&E dismiss your legitimate claim.
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