Vermont
Vermont Supreme Court Sides with Green Mountain Power in Injury Case
The decision stems from an incident more than a decade ago in Springfield where a 12-year-old boy suffered severe burns. Read the story on VTDigger here: Top court rules in favor of Green Mountain Power in lawsuit over child injured…
Key points
- The Vermont Supreme Court ruled Green Mountain Power not liable for a child’s injuries at a substation.
- Ian Treadway suffered severe burns after trespassing in a fenced area in 2013.
- The court upheld existing laws protecting landowners from liability for trespassers.
MONTPELIER, Vt. NewsWK — Local residents may be concerned about liability issues following a recent ruling by the Vermont Supreme Court regarding a case involving a child injured at a substation. The court’s decision, announced on Friday, found Green Mountain Power not liable for the severe injuries suffered by a child after entering a fenced substation in Springfield more than a decade ago.
Background of the Case
In May 2013, Ian Treadway, then 12 years old, was playing near the South Street substation when he suffered severe burns after coming into contact with electrified equipment. The substation was secured with a chain-link fence topped with barbed wire and had a padlocked gate, along with clear warning signs indicating high voltage and danger.
Windsor County Superior Court Judge H. Dickson Corbett had previously ruled in favor of Green Mountain Power, leading to the case being dismissed. The Vermont Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision authored by Justice Harold Eaton Jr., upheld this ruling, citing existing legal precedent that protects landowners from liability for trespassers.
Legal Implications
The court’s ruling has significant implications for how liability is handled in cases involving minors and trespassing. Eaton stated, “We decline to overrule our existing cases,” reinforcing the notion that current laws provide adequate protections for landowners. The court also denied a request to create a different liability standard for children, stating that any changes would need to come from lawmakers.
The decision highlights the importance of understanding and respecting safety boundaries, especially in areas with high voltage equipment. Treadway’s injuries included second- and third-degree burns, and he faced a long recovery process, including a medically induced coma.
What’s Next?
This ruling serves as a reminder for families in our community about the dangers of trespassing in restricted areas. Awareness of safety measures around electrical infrastructure is crucial to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Based on reporting originally published by VTDigger. Read the original story.
