Thousands of bushfire victims seeking $200 million in major class action

Victims of the devastating 2019 Cudlee Creek bushfire have initiated one of the largest class actions in South Australian history, seeking more than $200 million in compensation. 

The fire on December 20, 2019, impacted numerous South Australians, destroying more than 80 homes, ravaging over 20,000 hectares, and tragically claiming one life.

The class action lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of SA Power Networks, attributing the fire's origin to a fallen pine tree impacting a powerline. 

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Lawyers for the thousands of plaintiffs claim that SA Power Networks failed to adequately maintain the powerlines, despite prior incidents of trees falling in the area.

"When a fire's an act of God – lightning, something like that – you just have to take that that's how life is and things like that can happen," lead plaintiff Kris Thrower said.

"But when it's man-made, it's very, very different… it does make you very, very angry."

Thrower's home was destroyed in the devastating blaze, leaving him with next to nothing.

"All I had was working pants and a shirt… I didn't even have a toothbrush, neither did my family or anyone else," he said.

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"My firm's been doing bushfire litigation since 1983 right across Australia, and this is the biggest case we've been involved in," plaintiff solicitor Brendan Pendergast said.

The landmark class action trial is one of the largest in South Australian history.

It's expected to run for at least the next five weeks and will hear evidence from a number of internationally regarded experts.

The plaintiffs are seeking more than $200 million in compensation. 

SA Power Networks has denied the allegations.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.