Anderson v. Red & White Construction Co.

Michael Anderson was nearly electrocuted when the defendant Red & White Construction Company’s (“Red & White”) mobile crane struck a 12,500-volt power line while he was attempting to unhook the crane’s hoist. A King County jury awarded the plaintiff damages of $97,600. The defendant Red & White, owner of the crane, and an additional defendant, Ellis Lewellen, operator of the crane, appeal.

The salient facts are these:

Plaintiff Michael Anderson was a laborer employed by Lee ¡Turzillo Contracting Company (“Turzillo”). Turzillo was a subcontractor to Century Construction Company (“Century”) to…