Trujillo & Winnick LLP Files Amended Class Action Against Chevron Over El Segundo Refinery Fire
News related to:Chevron U.S.A. Inc · 2 min read
On September 15, 2026, Trujillo & Winnick LLP, a plaintiff-side civil litigation firm based in Los Angeles, filed a first amended class action complaint against Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and Chevron Corporation. The lawsuit, titled Coffey v. Chevron U.S.A. Inc., et al., Case No. 2:25-cv-09699, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The complaint, which was filed as Document 38, alleges that the October 2, 2025, fire at Chevron's El Segundo refinery led to significant property damage in surrounding communities.
According to the amended complaint, the fire, which was widely reported by ABC7 Los Angeles, resulted in the release of process material that ignited into a major fire. The subsequent soot, ash, and oily residue settled on homes, vehicles, and other property in the vicinity. The firm claims that Chevron failed in its inspection and corrosion-management practices, leading to the incident.
Trujillo & Winnick LLP is seeking relief for property damage and interference with the use and enjoyment of property. The amended complaint asserts claims for negligence, premises liability, strict liability, private nuisance, public nuisance, trespass to land, and trespass to chattels. Not every claim is asserted against every defendant, and the matter is pleaded as a property case, with no personal-injury claims included.
The complaint defines the affected area as every location outside the refinery within ten statute miles, measured horizontally, of the nearest point on the refinery's outer boundary as it existed on October 2, 2025. The proposed classes include persons and entities that owned or held a lawful possessory right to occupy real property in the defined area, as well as persons and entities that owned or lawfully possessed a motor vehicle, marine vessel, or other tangible personal property located outdoors in that area during October 2-3, 2025.
As of the filing of the amended complaint, no class has been certified. Class certification requires a court order, and inclusion in a proposed class does not establish liability or an entitlement to recovery. The release notes that no court has determined liability, and no defendant has been adjudged responsible for any harm.