Smith v. Jersey Central Power & Light Co.
Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division
24 A.3d 300 (2011)
- Written by Rose VanHofwegen, JD
Facts
Gary and Eileen Smith (plaintiffs) sued Jersey Central Power & Light Co. (defendant) because high levels of neutral-to-earth voltage (“stray voltage” or “stray current”) from its power distribution system gave them electrical shocks in their backyard. The power company attempted over several years to rectify the problem but ultimately failed, advising the Smiths to always wear shoes to avoid being shocked. The Smiths removed their pool, swing set, and sand box, and stopped using the backyard altogether, instead building a second-story deck where their children could play. The jury found the power company not negligent but nonetheless liable for nuisance damages, prompting an appeal.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Skillman, J.)
What to do next…
Here's why 811,000 law students have relied on our case briefs:
- Written by law professors and practitioners, not other law students. 46,300 briefs, keyed to 988 casebooks. Top-notch customer support.
- The right amount of information, includes the facts, issues, rule of law, holding and reasoning, and any concurrences and dissents.
- Access in your classes, works on your mobile and tablet. Massive library of related video lessons and high quality multiple-choice questions.
- Easy to use, uniform format for every case brief. Written in plain English, not in legalese. Our briefs summarize and simplify; they don’t just repeat the court’s language.