Weiffenbach v. City of Seattle

The plaintiff sued the defendant city to recover damages on account of severe injuries sustained by him through the city’s negligence. The cause was tried to the court without a jury. The material facts may be epitomized as follows:

The plaintiff was employed by the Seattle Cornice Works in making estimates and surveys of buildings for repair. While engaged in measuring the roof of a building, he was permanently injured by a current of electricity conveyed by a metal tape measure used by him from a high voltage wire, part of the city’s municipal light and power system. The wire was carried on…