Pratt v. Mountain Utilities Co.

STEPHENS, Justice.

The issue before this court is whether the trial judge, as a matter of law, abused his judicial discretion in granting a new trial on the issue of damages alone.

The movants, Frank and Lola Pratt, are the owners of a meat-packing plant located in Johnson County which was destroyed by fire in 1972. This negligence action was instituted by them against three defendants, Shale Gas Company, Consolidated Utilities, and Mountain Utilities, who were the successive owners of an allegedly defective gas line which was located under the plant and which caused the fire.

Following a jury…