PITTSBURGH — A mother and daughter are suing West Penn Company, an electricity distributor, citing alleged insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries and death.
Frances Gale Colton, individually and as administratrix of the estate of Terry Alan Colton, and Melina Colton filed a complaint on May 1 in the Allegheny County Courts of Common Pleas against West Penn Company alleging that it failed to maintain its power lines in a reasonably safe condition.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that, in April 12, the defendant's power line snapped and fell towards the ground near the plaintiff's property, causing a brush fire. While walking with a police officer in search of the cause of fire, Terry Alan Colton came into contact with the still energized downed power line, causing him to be electrocuted and die.
The plaintiffs holds West Penn Company responsible because despite decedents' request to de-energize or remove defendant's power lines, the defendant allegedly failed and refused to comply as requested and the power line remained energized.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $35,000, excluding delay damages and costs. They are represented by Patrick K. Cavanaugh, Stephen J. Del Sole, William S. Stickman IV and Justin T. Romano of Del Sole Cavanaugh Stroyd LLC in Pittsburgh.
Allegheny County Courts of Common Pleas Case number GD-18-6023