Alabama Power Co. v. Epperson

The issue in this case is whether the trial court committed reversible error in granting the plaintiffs’ motion for new trial after the jury had found in favor of the plaintiffs but had awarded them no damages.

The appellees, Guy and Elizabeth Epper-son and Alfa Insurance Company,1 sued Alabama Power Company (“APCo”), alleging that it had negligently and/or wantonly designed and inspected the Eppersons’ outside combination meter/circuit breaker box, and that its negligence or wantonness had caused the box to malfunction and set their house on fire.

The case was tried before a jury, which…