The Mellor Law Firm, APLC

California Real Estate, Construction, Bankruptcy, Foreclosure and Business Litigation Lawyers

    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Call: (951) 221-4744

  • Our Firm
  • Attorney Profile
  • Practice Areas
    • Real Estate Law
    • Construction Law Attorney
    • Experienced Foreclosure Attorney Serving Riverside Homeowners
    • Business Law
    • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
    • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
    • Contract Disputes
    • Insurance
    • Loan Modifications
    • Personal Injury & Wrongful Death
    • Mechanic’s Lien
  • Case Handling
  • Clients
  • Blog
  • Contact

“Electricity Is Just Organized Lightening.” — George Carlin.

May 22, 2015 by Leave a Comment

IIED and negligence In a jury trial, a jury awarded $1,050,000 in compensatory damages and $3,000,000 in punitive damages against an electric company and in favor of plaintiff on her claims for IIED, negligence and nuisance, based upon her contentions the company failed to control its electrical substation next door to plaintiff’s house. She said the company allowed uncontrolled stray electrical currents to enter her home, including low levels of electricity while showering. The company offered to replace plaintiff’s metal pipes with plastic pipes, but she refused, insisting the elimination of all stray voltage on her property. On appeal, the company contends all of plaintiff’s claims fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the California Public Utilities Commission [PUC]. The appellate court reversed, stating: “We conclude that the PUC has not exercised its authority to adopt a policy regarding the issues in this lawsuit, and therefore it does not have exclusive jurisdiction over [plaintiff’s] claims. But we also conclude [plaintiff] failed to present sufficient evidence to support her IIED and negligence claims, or to support an award of punitive damages. Finally, we conclude the verdict on the nuisance claim cannot stand because the trial court refused to give [the electric company’s] proffered instruction regarding causation of [plaintiff’s] physical symptoms, and therefore the jury relied upon irrelevant evidence when determining that claim.  Accordingly, we reverse the judgment, order judgment entered in favor of [the electric company] on the IIED and negligence claims, and remand to the trial court for a retrial on the nuisance claim.” (Wilson v. Southern California Edison Co. (Cal. App. Second Dist., Div. 4; February 9, 2015) 234 Cal.App.4th 123 [184 Cal.Rptr.3d 26].)

Filed Under: Appellate Law News, Emotional Distress Law News, Legal News, Negligence Law News, Personal Injury Law News, Public Entity Law News, Trial Law News

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Call Us: 951-222-2100

Consultations available in-office or over
the phone. Speak to one of our leading attorneys in California today.

Recent News

How to Prepare Your Business for a Merger or Acquisition

July 16, 2025 By Mark Mellor

With the 50,000 merger and acquisition (M&A) deals that happened globally in 2024, it is evident that businesses are constantly looking for ways to grow and expand. M&A deals can provide a quick and effective way for companies to enter new markets, acquire new … Read More...

What Is Commercial Litigation and How Does It Affect Your Business?

May 23, 2025 By Mark Mellor

Every business, regardless of its size or industry, faces unique challenges. Among these, legal disputes can often be the most daunting and disruptive. Commercial litigation, a specialized area of law, serves as a framework for resolving disputes arising from business … Read More...

Common Types of Real Estate Fraud

May 21, 2025 By Mark Mellor

Real estate transactions are some of the most significant financial decisions you’ll make in your lifetime. Unfortunately, the complexity of these deals creates opportunities for fraud. Whether you’re a buyer, seller, or investor, knowing how to protect yourself and recognize … Read More...

Follow Mellor Law Firm

    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Our Areas of Practice

  • Comprehensive Real Estate Legal Services
  • Construction Law Attorney
  • Mechanic’s Lien – Stop Notice
  • Experienced Foreclosure Attorney Serving Riverside Homeowners
  • Business Law
  • Contract Disputes
  • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
  • Insurance
  • Lien Stripping Bankruptcy
  • Loan Modifications
  • Personal Injury & Wrongful Death
  • Property Ownership

Navigate

  • Home
  • Our Firm
  • Mark Mellor
  • Practice Areas
  • Case Handling
  • Clients
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Privacy Policy

Practice Areas

  • Comprehensive Real Estate Legal Services
  • Construction Law Attorney
  • Mechanic’s Lien – Stop Notice
  • Experienced Foreclosure Attorney Serving Riverside Homeowners
  • Business Law
  • Contract Disputes
  • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
  • Insurance
  • Lien Stripping Bankruptcy
  • Loan Modifications
  • Personal Injury & Wrongful Death
  • Property Ownership

Recent Posts

  • How to Prepare Your Business for a Merger or Acquisition
  • What Is Commercial Litigation and How Does It Affect Your Business?
  • Common Types of Real Estate Fraud
  • Everything You Need to Know About Adverse Possession in California

Follow Us

    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Contact our offices

The Mellor Law Firm, APLC
6800 Indiana Avenue, Suite 220
Riverside, CA 92506
Phone: (951) 221-4744
Fax: (951) 222-2122
10.0Mark Albert Mellor

The Mellor Law Firm, APLC © 2025. All Rights Reserved.