Watch CBS News

PG&E San Bruno Explosion Lawsuit Defense Includes Blaming Victims

SAN BRUNO (CBS / AP) -- The utility company whose ruptured pipeline killed eight people in a massive explosion is seeking a jury trial to fight dozens of lawsuits, and part of its defense includes placing partial blame on some of the victims of the blast.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. made the request in a recent court filing denying that the company should have to pay damages.

KCBS' Margie Shafer Reports:

The filing does not respond to the allegations of specific suits, but instead offers a litany of defenses the utility may seek to put forward at trial.

The defenses include the claim that others may be responsible for the injuries or losses suffered in the September blast, including the victims themselves.

>>Photo Gallery: San Bruno Pipeline Explosion

PG&E spokeswoman Brittany Chord told the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday that the filing was "a standard part of the legal process."

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.