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Legal-Bay Announces that PG&E has Established a $105MM Fund to Pay for Negligence Claims in California Wildfires

PARADISE, Calif., Sept. 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Legal Bay Lawsuit Funding reports that as of last month, residents of northern California who have been displaced by the 2017 wildfires and 2018 Camp Fire can apply for aid through the Wildfire Assistance Program. The $105 million fund was approved by the judge during PG&E’s Chapter 11 case, and will be made available via the company’s cash reserves. It is intended to help the uninsured and/or anyone who needs financial assistance with housing costs or even daily living expenses while they rebuild their lives. Applications for funding are now open.

Supplemental payments will be distributed to families who are facing extraordinary hardship and loss in communities that were severely impacted by the fires. But even before then, applicants can request a “Basic Unmet Needs” payment of $5000 per household upon establishing that they’ve met the basic eligibility requirements. But for victims of such a devastating disaster, $5000 is not nearly enough.

If you have filed a wildfire lawsuit and need an immediate cash advance against your pending settlement, you can apply for presettlement funding at:  http://lawsuitssettlementfunding.com or call: 877.571.0405

The victims of California’s “Camp Fire” had filed suit against the PG&E Corporation, alleging that the utility company was responsible for the fire that has killed and injured hundreds of people and destroyed nearly 19,000 homes and businesses. It is the deadliest fire in the state’s history.

The Camp Fire has caused irreparable damage to the town of Paradise, about 175 miles north of San Francisco. The flames spread throughout the town and surrounding areas, causing devastating property damage and personal injury, and in the case of at least 85 people, even death.

The plaintiffs allege that PG&E failed to properly maintain, repair, and replace its equipment, and that such conduct contributed to the cause of the devastating Camp Fire. The lawsuit also addresses how the state pays for damages caused by wildfires generated by faulty utility company equipment.

PG&E has apologized for starting the fire, and established the $105 million fund to resolve the many lawsuits the company is facing. The global settlement applies to all lawsuits filed regarding the Northern California Wildfires of 2017 and the Camp Fire of 2018. There was a concern that PG&E would seek recovery costs from its customers in the form of inflated pricing, but that notion has since been dispelled.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed new legislation into law last month which also establishes a general insurance fund to pay for damages caused by utility companies. He believes the new law will enact safer and more reliable energy sources along with guaranteeing that wildfire victims don’t get shoved to the sidelines and forgotten. The state has pushed for cleaner energy sources, and this latest PG&E debacle gives California a good argument for progressing forward.

The filing deadline is November 15, 2019. If claims are not filed by this date, plaintiffs will not be able to recover damages. If you have not yet filed your Camp Fire lawsuit against PG&E and need help finding a lawyer or law firm that specializes in wildfire lawsuits, Legal-Bay will be able to offer referrals.

It is difficult to prove negligence on the part of the utility companies. There must be strong evidence of a utility company showing blatant irresponsibility and lack of reason when it comes to wildfire prevention. But Legal-Bay believes that with the recent court verdicts, wildfire legislation, and PG&E’s outright admission of guilt, plaintiffs stand a great chance of coming out ahead.

Chris Janish, CEO of Legal-Bay, commented on the recent uptick in wildfire lawsuits, “The victims of this horrific tragedy have already suffered enough, but now they are forced to wait it out as their lawsuits lag in the court system. In the meantime, pre settlement funding is available to plaintiffs who need money now to survive until their wildfire lawsuit against PG&E makes it to trial. Victims of this preventable disaster need to rebuild their homes and their lives, and Legal-Bay is happy to help in any small way we can.”

If you have filed a wildfire lawsuit and need an immediate cash advance against your pending settlement, you can apply for presettlement funding at:  http://lawsuitssettlementfunding.com or call: 877.571.0405

Legal-Bay’s programs are non-recourse lawsuit cash advances, also known as case funding, which means you only repay the settlement advance if you win your case. None of the programs should be considered to be a lawsuit loan, lawsuit loans, settlement loans, settlement loan, pre-settlement loans, or a pre-settlement loan.

Contact: 
Chris Janish, CEO 
Email:  info@Legal-Bay.com  
Ph.: 877.571.0405

SOURCE Legal-Bay LLC

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Announcements Consumer

Golden Pear Upsizes Corporate Note to $78.7M Amid Growth Plans

By John Freund |

Golden Pear Funding has extended and upsized its investment-grade corporate note to $78.7 million, further bolstering the firm's capacity to serve the expanding litigation finance sector. The New York-based funder, a national leader in both pre-settlement and medical receivables financing, said the proceeds will support working capital and fuel strategic growth initiatives.

A press release from Golden Pear outlines how the capital raise reflects continued investor confidence in the firm’s business model. CEO Gary Amos noted that the infusion is critical as Golden Pear seeks to scale alongside the “rapidly expanding litigation finance market.” CFO Daniel Amsellem added that the new funding aligns with the company’s capital allocation strategy, aimed at optimizing operational efficiency and executing strategic projects.

Brean Capital, LLC acted as the exclusive financial advisor and sole placement agent on the transaction.

Founded in 2008, Golden Pear has funded more than $1.1 billion to over 87,000 clients and remains one of the largest specialty finance companies in the U.S. Its business model spans legal case funding and medical receivables purchasing, with backing from a network of private equity partners that provide institutional support for continued expansion.

Announcements Regulatory Issues

LionFish Updates Model Documents in Response to CJC Report

By John Freund |

LionFish Litigation Finance Ltd has released a new suite of model litigation funding documents, updating its original set from February 2021. The revision comes on the heels of the Civil Justice Council's (CJC) Final Report on Litigation Funding, issued on 2 June 2025, which calls for a regulatory structure informed by best practices, including key principles published by the European Law Institute (ELI) in October 2024.

A LionFish press release details that the updated suite incorporates several of the ELI Principles (notably 4-12) and broader CJC recommendations, except where doing so would require legislative or procedural reform. LionFish's goal, according to Managing Director Tets Ishikawa, is not to dictate market norms but to foster industry-wide standardisation and efficiency. This proactive move is also intended to spark further collaboration between funders, insurers, and legal practitioners to develop trade practices akin to those in mature financial markets, such as those promoted by the Loan Market Association and the International Swaps and Derivatives Association.

The new suite includes three core documents: a litigation funding agreement, a priorities deed to define proceeds distribution, and an assignment deed for insurance benefits. Notably, LionFish has also added documentation for co-investment arrangements, reflecting a growing trend in syndicated funding deals. The funder has already closed seven such transactions.

Managing Director Tanya Lansky emphasised that while litigation funding remains complex, making documentation public enhances transparency and facilitates quicker deal closings—an essential factor for sustaining market growth.

As litigation finance continues to mature, this move by LionFish highlights a shift toward professionalisation and standardisation. With regulators increasingly focused on transparency and fairness, such initiatives may set a de facto benchmark for others in the industry. The question remains: will other funders follow suit, or will regulatory mandates be needed to compel alignment?

Announcements Commercial Legal Innovation

Backlit Capital Solutions Launches Legal Finance Consultancy

By John Freund |

Backlit Capital Solutions has announced the launch of its full-service legal finance consultancy. The firm aims to provide comprehensive funding solutions for legal claims, offering services that include litigation finance, arbitration funding, and judgment enforcement strategies.

An article in PR Newswire states that Backlit Capital Solutions is positioning itself as a comprehensive provider in the legal finance sector, aiming to serve a diverse clientele that includes claimants, law firms, lenders, and investors. The firm's service offerings encompass litigation finance, arbitration funding, and judgment enforcement strategies, indicating a broad approach to legal funding solutions.

The launch of Backlit Capital Solutions reflects a growing trend in the legal finance industry, where firms are expanding their services to address the multifaceted needs of legal claimants and their representatives. By offering a suite of services under one roof, Backlit Capital Solutions aims to streamline the funding process and provide tailored solutions to its clients.

As the legal finance landscape continues to evolve, the entry of firms like Backlit Capital Solutions underscores the increasing demand for specialized financial services in the legal sector. Their comprehensive approach may set a new standard for how legal finance consultancies operate, potentially influencing the strategies of existing and emerging players in the market.