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At least $50,000 is being sought in a personal injury lawsuit against PECO Energy Co. and several affiliated businesses. The plaintiff is an employee of the Philadelphia Water Department, who was seriously hurt in an on-the-job accident last year when the tool he was using allegedly made contact with a buried electric line, causing a fire and explosion.
The Sept. 6 filing states the water department worker was thrown from an excavation site while using a star drill. The suit claims the May 2011 fire and explosion were triggered by an improperly marked, underground electric line owned by PECO Energy. Electrical injuries caused the city water department employee to suffer “devastating and catastrophic” physical, mental and economic harm, according to the complaint.
The victim was knocked unconscious during the blast. Court papers say the worker was diagnosed with brain and chest wall injuries. He developed headaches, sleeping and memory difficulties and was unable to sustain a grasping movement. The employee’s multiple medical problems, including depression and anxiety, prevented him from returning to work and earning an income.
Among the defendants is the Pennsylvania One Call System, a company that provides information about the location of underground utility lines as a precaution for anyone who plans to dig. The plaintiff’s employer apparently contacted the company in advance of the failed excavation work.
The lawsuit claims the power line was negligently unprotected by a barrier, non-insulated and unmarked — dangerous violations of national electric and workplace safety rules. The suit also alleges PECO Energy was aware of other similar workplace accidents but did nothing to correct problems or prevent future incidents.
Pennsylvania employers are required to protect workers from on-the-job accidents. Careless business practices that lead to employee injuries can lead to civil lawsuits, where victims are compensated for harm caused by negligence.
Source: The Pennsylvania Record, “PWD worker sues PECO Energy Co. for injuries after contact with electrical line,” Jon Campisi, Sept. 11, 2012