Day v. Montana Power Co.

A jury in the District Court for the Second Judicial District, Silver Bow County, awarded Ted and Doris Day damages resulting from a fire caused by the negligence of Montana Power Company’s (MPC) employee. The jury awarded $350,000 to both Days for property destruction, $25,000 to Doris Day for personal injury and $450,000 to Ted Day for emotional distress. From this verdict, MPC appeals the $450,000 emotional distress award and Days cross appeal. We reverse in part and affirm in part.

In the process of installing underground electrical service to an adjacent structure, MPC employee Mark…