Ripley Heatwole Co. v. John E. Hall Electrical Contractor, Inc.

By Judge Everett A. Martin, Jr.

The plaintiff owned a large apartment complex and contracted with John E. Hall Electrical Contractor, Inc. (“Hall”) to design, install, and monitor a fire alarm system. At sometime thereafter, Hall entered into an agreement with Vulcan Security Systems, Inc. (“Vulcan”) to monitor the plaintiffs fire alarm system. The plaintiff was not informed of this agreement.

On July 19,2002, lightning struck the plaintiffs apartments at 9:10 p.m., and the plaintiff alleges that alarms instantly were sounded that Vulcan was supposed to monitor. The plaintiff further alleges…