Death Suit Names Utility

la times ^ | 8 19 03 | David Reyes

[freepatriot32]

Family is seeking damages from Southern California Edison in accidental electrocution of an O.C. homeowner

John Kincannon was cleaning his pool one day when the Lemon Heights lawyer spotted a palm frond dangling from nearby power lines.

Armed with an aluminum pool skimmer, he swung at the debris — and accidentally touched the metal pole to the line, receiving a fatal jolt of electricity.

A year later, his widow and three children are seeking general damages from Southern California Edison Co. and others, suggesting that though the homeowner's attempt to knock the branch from the power line was unwise, there is a little bit of John Kincannon in everyone

[freepatriot32]

This "lady" should just go up on stage and accept this guys darwin award on his behalf then thank the public school system for making the award possible and shut up. If I was married to a moron that stupid I sure as hell wouldnt get in front of news cameras and brag about it thats for darn sure.

Q.What do you call one electrocuted lawyer at the bottom of a pool ?

[kaktuskid]

A. NOT ENOUGH!!!

[Onelifetogive]

there is a little bit of John Kincannon in everyone...

There is also a little bit of him in the skimmer, a small piece on the patio and sprinkles of him on the fence...

[xm177e2]

It's a shame companies like SoCal Edison are too nice to countersue and take this woman's house. A few cases like that would scare some decency into these "Darwin Lottery Wives."

[netmilsmom]

Short of the consumer having to pay for this lawsuit, it just makes me laugh!

[xJones]

There's a plant dangling from an electric power line and he swings at it with an aluminum pole?

While there is certainly a little (or more) bit of an idiot in all of us, it should not be up to others to pay a lawsuit for it. And Southern California Edison isn't going to eat the cost if awarded, it just means that others will pay because a lawyer tried to play swat with a power line using a metal pole.

[Chemist_Geek]

Point of information; the guy had already spawned so his (rather dim) genes have already propagated to the next generation. He's not eligible for a Darwin Award.

It's a shame companies like SoCal Edison are too nice to countersue and take this woman's house. A few cases like that would scare some decency into these "Darwin Lottery Wives."

I agree - something must be done about the relentless attemps by people to become victimillionares. On the other hand, the utility is kind of stuck - those of us who would applaud such a move would be drowned out by the people crying "Shame, shame!". (They ought to be saying that to the woman, but nooooo...)

[Uncle Miltie]

"Q.What do you call one electrocuted lawyer at the bottom of a pool?"

A: Deep Fried Anus in Chlorine Sauce.

[xJones]

I agree - something must be done about the relentless attemps by people to become victimillionares.

And it's caused by the grossly over-abundant supply of lawyers we are blessed with. No other country in the world has anything like our avaricious landsharks. They need deep-pockets and that utility company looks promising for a juicy attorney's fee - even though the client was an idiot.

Just put up some pictures of his burnt remains, talk about the greed of SC Edison, and another lawyer walks off richer. The lawyer knows this suit is ridiculous, "suggesting that though the homeowner's attempt to knock the branch from the power line was unwise, there is a little bit of John Kincannon in everyone.", but his take is the only thing that matters.

[Thisiswhoweare]

Couple of questions: How did the wife know what he was doing unless she was present when he did it. If so, why didn't she say something to discourage him as people do when they love someone and see them about to get into danger?

Because, if he did this without her present, and he died, how did she know what he was attempting to do?

Maybe it's just me, but, why is it always someone else's fault when a bad outcome occurs? Sound like his widow is a lawyer too suing!

[cake_crumb]

"A year later, his widow and three children are seeking general damages from Southern California Edison Co. and others, suggesting that though the homeowner's attempt to knock the branch from the power line was unwise, there is a little bit of John Kincannon in everyone"

A LITTLE UNWISE?? It was TERMINALLY STUPID, and this woman has just said that ALL of us suffer from terminal stupidity so the power company should be forced to pay her.

I am HIGHLY offended. I think I'll sue. After she wins and settlement is made.

[cake_crumb]

"There is also a little bit of him in the skimmer, a small piece on the patio and sprinkles of him on the fence..."

FOFLOL! I am SO glad I didn't decide to take a drink just then...

[cake_crumb]

"And Southern California Edison isn't going to eat the cost if awarded, it just means that others will pay because a lawyer tried to play swat with a power line using a metal pole."

The idiot probably played golf in thunderstorms too.

[CobaltBlue]

You left out the best part: "Filed last week in Orange County Superior Court by Kincannon's widow, Francilene, the suit also names Leslie's Swimming Pool Supplies for allegedly failing to provide a warning on its skimmer."

Still, the guy was 46 years old, a well known litigator so he was probably pulling in some bucks, left a wife, kids, so you can see the temptation to file the suit, especially against a power company. Californians hate power companies these days. Maybe you can convince a jury that the guy wasn't responsible for knowing that you don't swat at a power line using an aluminum pool skimmer.

Makes me ashamed to be a lawyer.

[Leo Carpathian]

mabee he wanted to be a (electric) street car, or to get charged up to withstand his bitchy wife? RIP

[BenLurkin]

Hmmmm?