Coffey v. Chevron U.S.A., Inc.

Trujillo & Winnick LLP represents plaintiffs and proposed classes in Coffey v. Chevron U.S.A. Inc., et al., Case No. 2:25-cv-09699, in the U.S. District Court, Central District of California.

Background

The complaint alleges that the October 2–3, 2025 fire at Chevron’s El Segundo refinery caused soot, ash, and oily residue to settle on homes, vehicles, vessels, and other property in surrounding communities. It alleges failures in inspection and corrosion-management practices, and seeks relief for property damage and for interference with the use and enjoyment of property. All allegations are subject to proof.

Defendants

• Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
• Chevron Corporation

Legal Claims

The amended complaint alleges claims including:

• Negligence
• Premises liability
• Strict liability
• Private nuisance
• Public nuisance
• Trespass to land
• Trespass to chattels

Not every claim is asserted against every defendant. All claims are contested. No liability has been determined.

Proposed Classes

The complaint proposes a Real Property Class of persons and entities that owned, leased, or otherwise held a lawful possessory right to occupy real property in the defined area during October 2–3, 2025, and a Personal Property Class of persons and entities that owned or lawfully possessed a motor vehicle, marine vessel, or other tangible personal property located outdoors in that area during the same period. Property-type subclasses are also proposed.

The defined area, as pleaded, is 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. As pleaded, the area is not a ring around the refinery: it extends in every direction and includes the communities closest to it. The complaint describes this as a pleading-stage boundary that plaintiffs expect to refine before certification, and that the court may narrow.

As pleaded, membership turns on where the property was located, not on where its owner receives mail, and does not depend on proof of deposition, damage, or loss.

These descriptions are summaries of allegations. The complaint’s own definitions, exclusions, and proposed representatives control. Class certification requires a court order. Inclusion in a proposed class does not establish liability or an entitlement to recovery, and this page is not a court-approved class notice.

Status

This matter is in active litigation. Intake is currently open. Whether you have a claim depends on your specific circumstances.

Press & Case Updates

• September 15, 2026 — First amended complaint filed. Fourteen plaintiffs filed a first amended class action complaint, Document 38, against Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and Chevron Corporation. The amended complaint asserts claims for negligence, premises liability, strict liability, private and public nuisance, trespass to land, and trespass to chattels, and describes proposed property classes. A complaint states allegations; it does not establish liability or an entitlement to recovery.

Court Documents

These are pleadings containing allegations. No class has been certified, and no court has determined liability or damages.