Hartnett v. Union Mutual Fire Insurance

Plaintiff, Jonette Hartnett, brought this wrongful death action to recover for the death of her three children in a fire in her home. She sued a number of defendants, including the City of St. Albans, appellant here, alleging that its fire chief had negligently approved a chimney where the fire started. She settled with all defendants except the City and, after a jury trial, obtained a verdict against the City. The City raises two issues on appeal: (1) the trial court erred in allowing recovery for the parents’ mental grief and anguish as a result of the death of their children; and (2) the…