Southern California Gas Company v. Superior Court Of Los Angeles County

441 P.3d 881 (2019)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

Porter Ranch is a residential neighborhood home to some 30,000 people. D stores vast amounts of natural gas in an underground facility in the hills surrounding the community. In October 2015, a leak happened-and people noticed. The leak coated nearby neighborhoods in an oily mist. Some 55 tons of natural gas were released every hour. Porter Ranch residents reported unpleasant odors, headaches, dizziness, and respiratory problems. In addition to those symptoms, students at local schools complained of nosebleeds and vomiting. Eventually, D relocated 15,000 people. D got the leak under control in February 2016-four months after detecting it. Over 100,000 tons of natural gas had escaped. Ps are Porter Ranch area businesses seeking to represent a class of all persons and entities conducting business within five miles of the leak. Ps claimed that D's negligence deprived them of customers and cost them considerable earnings. No named plaintiff in Ps action alleges personal injury or property damage. Ps acknowledge they are suing D to recover solely for the income they lost because of the leak. D demurred and the trial court overruled the demurrer. The Court of Appeal granted the petition and reversed the trial court. This appeal resulted.