bus bench electricution goes to trial....

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southernboys

Senior Member
Re: bus bench electricution goes to trial....

hey guys just wondering what would have been the correct way to wire this structure? Ive wired a few light poles in my time and we usually just hook the ground from the panel to the ground at the light and any other ground that might be feeding downstream. now just out of curiosity what woul happen if the metal bench had been bonded somehow to the ground from the panel to me that just doesnt sound safe
 
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charlie tuna

Senior Member
Location
Florida
Re: bus bench electricution goes to trial....

just heard on tonight's news that this case was turned over to the jury today. the advertising company still says it was lightning! the investigators say it was shodey workmanship! this is the cival case---for 12 million bucks!
i will keep an eye out and keep you guys informed!
 
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charlie tuna

Senior Member
Location
Florida
Re: bus bench electricution goes to trial....

jury ruled that ellar multi media was neglegent by hiring an unqualified person to wire the subject bus bench. they awarded the father 65 million dollars. i believe they were asking for 112 million! ellar was a contractor of the county and no inspections were required to cut costs!!!!!!!!!!!!! and the bus bench was on county property................
 
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pierre

Senior Member
Location
Westchester County, New York
Re: bus bench electricution goes to trial....

"they awarded the father 65 million dollars"


I have 3 girls, and the money would never make up for the loss :(

I am glad that they made the company pay and pay big. We see so many companies hiring UNQUALIFIED people that it makes me sick to see the work - some do not care as the bottom line is $$$. Now lets see how this company will feel about shoddy work.

BTW- Beware of this type of result. I think it shows that juries have a bad feeling (12 mil, but awarded 65 mil :eek: ) towards contractors who do not do the "right thing".
 
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charlie tuna

Senior Member
Location
Florida
Re: bus bench electricution goes to trial....

actually--the unqualified person depended on only the ground rod to provide a return path back to the power source. the frame of the bus bench got electrified when a ballast fell off a jury-rigged bracket and pinned the secondary wire against the frame---and it remained there. the young boy somehow found a grounded surface and touched the frame of the bus bench-----dead!!! the company tried to convince the jury the boy was hit by lightning!!!!!!!!!!
 
iwire

iwire

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
Re: bus bench electricution goes to trial....

Originally posted by petersonra:
so the jury was able to determine from scientific evidence that there was no lightning strike.
Click to expand...
You know what Bob, it really does not matter.

These are the types of risks you expose yourself to when you install electrical equipment and do not follow all the standard practices.

We have been told the person installed a 120 volt circuit to a metal bus stop and did not properly ground it.

This is negligent and IMO imposable to defend.

I have no sympathy for this installer.
 
petersonra

petersonra

Senior Member
Location
Northern illinois
Occupation
engineer
Re: bus bench electricution goes to trial....

I would not disagree it was negligent, but was the negligence the actual cause of the death.

The sad part of these type of cases is that it almost always makes the situation worse rather than better. It drives up the cost of insurance, so fewer people can afford it, which drives even more people towards finding cheaper ways to do things, often finding out only much later that the cost was much higher than they anticipated.
 
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charlie tuna

Senior Member
Location
Florida
Re: bus bench electricution goes to trial....

i find the blame on a few others!

the county, for not requiring the installation (on county property) to be inspected for cost reduction purposes!

the contractor for not hiring properly qualified people, and supervising them, to insure the installation was properly grounded!

the national electrical code for continuing to require ground rods at service drops when they know they have no real function, thereby giving installers the idea that they are a return path to the power source!

the local licensing board for being so "easy" on people caught installing improper electrical work!

local judges for not imposing heavy sentances on people found contracting without proper licenses!
 
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stud696981

Senior Member
Re: bus bench electricution goes to trial....

Just an FYI and I'm not siding with anyone here, but this case could get appealed. If the defendant files for an appeal, there will be no money anytime soon for the plaintiff, and it could always get turned around down the road and the plaintiff could become the loser. Again, I'm not taking sides, I'm simply stating that just because a jury awards money, doesn't mean it always happens.
 
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charlie tuna

Senior Member
Location
Florida
Re: bus bench electricution goes to trial....

studman,
even if the first dollar does not get paid off, lets hope a lesson is learnt by those who stand with this boy's blood on their hands!!! afterall,the money will not bring the boy back to life!
 
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