Horwath v. Washington Water Power Co.

Langenbach, J. †

This is a wrongful death action, brought by a widow for herself and for her minor children, to recover damages for the death of her husband and their father. On May 21,1962, he was electrocuted. While he was painting a neon sign, he somehow came into contact with a power line, owned and maintained by defendant. The jury returned a general verdict for the defendant, and plaintiff has appealed.

The facts are not seriously disputed. In the spring of 1955, the Baldwin Neon Sign Company (hereinafter referred to as Baldwin) prepared to erect a neon sign upon a building in Spokane.…