PG&E Settles Suit Over Botched Demolition

Pacific Gas & Electric has settled a lawsuit filed by a Bakersfield, Calif., man who was badly injured during the botched demolition of a power plant.

The Bakersfield Californian says the utility announced the settlement Monday but didn’t disclose details.

Jerry Wood sued PG&E after he and four others were hit by flying shrapnel during the August 2013 implosion of an old plant in Bakersfield.

Wood was struck in the legs when the blast hurled metal chunks into an area where 1,000 people had gathered to watch the work. He endured dozens of medical procedures, including bone grafts.

PG&E has sued the contractor it hired to demolish the plant and state regulators fined two subcontractors.

In April, PG&E received state permission to complete the demolition.