Estate of Andrew Jackson Sues Duke Energy Following Fatal Accident
The estate of Andrew Jackson, a 55-year-old man who died after being electrocuted by an electrical arc from a powerline, is filing a lawsuit against Duke Energy Indiana and several other defendants for negligence stemming from the September 2024 incident.
Incident Details
Jackson was engaged in tree-cutting work at a property in Bicknell when an electrical arc from a nearby powerline struck the lift he was operating. Importantly, Jackson did not directly touch the powerline before being electrocuted. According to court documents, he was found hanging from the lift’s platform approximately 30 feet in the air, conscious and in severe pain until he succumbed to his injuries 11 days later.
Legal Action
The lawsuit names several entities, including Center Oak Rentals LLC, the company that owned the lift, and Mark Mackey along with Mark Mackey Farms LLC, who managed the property where Jackson was working. The complaint, filed in Hendricks County Circuit Court, asserts that the defendants failed to adequately ensure the safety of their products and property, leading to Jackson’s tragic injuries and eventual death. The estate claims damages for physical and emotional pain, lost wages, medical expenses, and wrongful death.
Allegations of Negligence
The lawsuit argues that Duke Energy was negligent in managing its vegetation management system, which is responsible for maintaining required clearances between powerlines and surrounding trees to prevent potential hazards. Additionally, the rental companies are accused of failing to properly maintain and repair the lift used by Jackson.
The defendants have not yet provided comments regarding the lawsuit.
Case Reference: Estate of Andrew Jackson by and through, Special Personal Representative, Sandra Nasser v. Duke Energy Indiana, LLC, Duke Energy Corporation, PSI Energy, Inc., et al, 32C01-2609-CT-000174.
