PITTSBURGH — Duquesne Light is facing a negligence claim after a man allegedly suffered injuries from a sudden light pole electrical explosion.
Robert Hirst and Danielle Cain filed a complaint Feb. 15 in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County against Duquesne Light Company and Duquesne Light Holdings Inc., alleging negligence.
The plaintiffs, according to their complaint, were walking back to their house from a friend's house on July 6, 2021, on Pennwood Avenue in the Edgewood neighborhood in Pittsburgh. They allege that an "electrical transmission facilities" overhead caused a "large electrical burst" at a utility pole over them.
The plaintiffs claim as Hirst was backing away from the electrical burst, he tripped, fell backwards, hit his head and was rendered unconscious. They further claim Hirst was transported to the emergency room where he was treated for a "severe laceration" on the back of his head and for a subdural brain hematoma.
The plaintiffs also claim Hirst continues to have pain, headaches, cognitive issues, mood disorder as well as loss of taste of smell due to his injuries. They allege the defendants' negligence for failing to safely "allow for peak electrical usage during the summer, failing to maintain and operate its transmission facilities and for failing to warn of the dangerous condition.
The plaintiffs seek monetary relief of more than $50,000, interest and all other just relief. They are represented by Trent Echard and Matthew Marquette of Echard Marquette PC in Allison Park.