By Ashley McLeod, Staff Writer
Aug 28, 2015, 11:06
COLONIAL HEIGHTS — A Colonial Heights man is suing his landlords as well as an employee of Long Greenwood Tree Service, after being struck by electricity while taking a shower.
According to the lawsuit filed in Colonial Heights Circuit Court, Jonah Pennington was taking a shower in a home he rented from David and Terri Williams in Colonial Heights on March 17 when he heard several loud electrical popping noises coming from his showerhead. When Pennington attempted to turn off the shower, he was shocked.
On this day, employees from Long Greenwood Tree Service were working in the area of Pennington’s home, trimming tree limbs, the lawsuit says. It states that during their work, an employee was on an elevated platform and accidentally knocked down a power line with the platform. At that time, the power line hit the ground and came into contact with a water meter, which caused the electrical current to travel into Pennington’s home and shock him.
The accident knocked out power to six or seven homes on the street as sparks flew from the wires.
Colonial Heights Fire Department investigators at the scene determined that the problems which caused the electrical injury were due to the fact that there was a problem with the grounding of electrical panels and water meter for the residence, the lawsuit states.
Pennington has brought complaints against the owners of the house, the Williams, with the accusation that they were responsible for maintaining the property and making sure all electrical systems were safe for occupancy.
Pennington also brought forward a complaint against the employee of the tree trimming service, Leroy Fouts, who Pennington claims “recklessly, carelessly, and negligently” operated the platform which caused the power line to fall.
The two claims state that because of the negligent actions by the defendants, Pennington was seriously, and possibly permanently, injured, and has lost his job as a result of being unable to work following the accident.
According to the papers filed in court, Pennington is asking for a judgment against the defendants of a total of $1 million as compensation for the physical and emotional pain he incurred after the accident, as well as for related expenses having to do with the accident.
All defendants in the case deny any fault in the incident involved.
