Reckert v. Roco Petroleum Corporation

HOUSER, Commissioner.

Death action by Helen Reckert, widow of William, an employee at a gasoline filling station burned to death when gasoline escaping from the tank of a station wagon on a hydraulic grease rack caught fire and exploded.

Standard Oil Company, allegedly the owner of the filling station, Roco Petroleum Corporation, lessee, and Otto Evans, sublessee, were originally named as defendants. Standard was dismissed. The jury exonerated Evans and returned a verdict for $25,000 against Roco. A new trial was granted Roco on the ground that the court erred in giving Instruction No. 2, and…