Our client was a 24 year old laborer, working on a roofing job on Airbrake Avenue in Wilmerding. He worked for a small construction company that was replacing a four sided roof of a multi-story commercial building. The front of the building, facing Airbrake Avenue, was adjacent to an energized 13,200 volt high tension power line that ran down Airbrake Avenue. In the days leading to the incident, my client's employer had contacted the Electric Company regarding the status of the power lines, and what precautions could occur. The Electric Company sent multiple representatives to the work site; however, they negligently failed to instruct the workers, including our client, as to the energized status of the lines, the appropriate safe working distances for the lines or take any preventative measures to provide the workers with a safe working environment.
Our client, unaware of the dangerous condition and propensities of the un-insulated and unprotected high voltage lines, was attempting to secure a piece of metal scaffolding when the scaffolding came into contact with the power line. The 13,200 volt current surged from the metal scaffolding to our client's right arm and exiting out his right hand. Our client suffered massive burns, muscle and nerve damage to his right arm and hand, leaving him with permanent, limited use of his right arm with extensive scarring and disfigurement.
We filed suit in Allegheny County against the Electric Company for their negligence. On the morning the trial was set to begin, the case settled. Given our client's young age and diminished earning's capacity, a significant portion of the settlement was structured. That is, the settlement proceeds were used to purchase an annuity that guarantees regular payments to our client for decades to come.
