California’s PG&E Faces Another Pipeline Blast Lawsuit

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. is being hit with another lawsuit related to last year’s deadly pipeline explosion in San Bruno.

The complaint was filed in San Mateo County Superior Court last week by a representative of James Franco, who died from injuries suffered in Sept. 9 blast that killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes.

Eric Laughlin, who represents Franco’s estate, claims that poor maintenance and construction resulted in an “inevitable explosion” of the PG&E gas pipeline. He is seeking unspecified damages and a jury trial.

The San Francisco-based company already faces dozens of lawsuits from victims’ families and people who claim they were impacted by the inferno.

PG&E spokeswoman Brittany Chord said Friday the company respects plaintiffs’ right to sue and remains committed to helping the community rebuild.