Electric-Gas Utility
o Electricity
Electric Burns
Ruelas v. Arizona Public Services (APS): A 16 year old boy on top of
a hay truck tried to lift a low hanging 7,200 volt power line that straddled
the top of the haystack as the truck tried to pass underneath the wires. The
young man’s arm had to be amputated. Through personal investigation, Charles
M. Brewer was able to prove that APS had actual knowledge of the low hanging
power line. During trial Defendant APS settled the cause of action for 35 million
dollars; which was one of the largest settlements in Arizona history at that
time.
Electrocution
Grant v. Arizona Public Sevice (APS): Sharon Grant brought this action
to recover damages for the wrongful death of her husband Koy Grant. Grant died
as a result of electrocution. At the time of his death, he was a carpenter working
in a trench at a construction site which involved a backhoe to excavate a trench.
During the excavation process, the crane’s lines touched the overhead
power lines, the high-voltage crane lines traveled down the crane lines, electrocuting
Grant.
Reported decision: 133 Ariz. 434, 652 P.2d 507 (1982).
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A Roofing Worker fell from a roof after making contact with high-voltage power
line. Plaintiffs sued the power company for the wrongful death (Electrocution).
The amounts paid in settlement of this case are subject to a non-disclosure
agreement.
o Propane
Explosions of a propane piping systems
Plaintiffs were lawfully on the premises of their vacation home, when Plaintiff
entered his underground cellar. Without notice or warning, the entire underground
wine cellar violently exploded critically injuring Plaintiff, thereby causing
severe burns to over 70% of his body, which caused him to untimely perish approximately
seven (7) months later. Plaintiffs obtained a seven-figure jury verdict. (need
to update this sentence)
o Natural Gas
Utilities Liability
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Chesser v. Southwest Gas: This lawsuit arises out of an electrical/gas
explosion at an apartment duplex. In the explosion, six people were horrendously
burned and injured. Plaintiffs have settled with the apartment complex, and
electric company. Litigation is ongoing with the gas company. The previous settlements
are protected by a confidential non-disclosure agreement.
Crawley v. APS: A Phoenix family was critically injured last year when
a natural-gas explosion ripped through their apartment. The blast occurred when
fumes from leaking gas ignited in the family’s apartment after Crawley
lighted a cigarette. Brewer contended that a natural-gas line was installed
negligently and that APS was grossly negligent in inspecting the line after
complaints of gas odors had been received. An out-of-court settlement was reached
for $8.1 million.
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Edgar v. Southwest Gas: A woman suffered burns over 22% of her body
when a gas explosion occurred at her place of employment. The largest cash settlement,
at that time, in the State of Arizona was obtained on her behalf.
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Yarborough v. Southwest Gas: A Phoenix man who was badly burned when
his house exploded received a $9.5 million settlement. This firm claimed that
the explosion was caused by a leak in a valve that had been buried in the ground,
thus preventing inspection. The crack allowed gas to escape from a 2-inch steel
pipe into the soil outside the Yarborough home. Mr. Yarborough suffered second
and third degree burns over 65 percent of his body when he lit a cigarette and
touched off the gas that had accumulated.
Heckart v. Southwest Gas: The decedent was working on an industrial
gas oven, which exploded. Prior to the explosion southwest gas had made numerous
trips to inspect the oven and were aware of its defective and dangerous condition
but failed to red tag. The settlement terms of this case are subject to a non-disclosure
agreement.
