Jury Awards $1.1M to Dairyman in Stray Voltage Case

The Seattle Times -- By Warren Cornwall

"Friday, a Skagit County Superior Court jury sided with David Baumgardner and his wife, Lucinda, awarding them a $1.1 million verdict against Puget Sound Energy.

The ruling is unusual but not unheard of. Dairy farmers across the country have won verdicts against electric utilities over cases of 'stray voltage.' Among the largest is a $17.5 million judgment in 2004 for an Idaho dairyman against Idaho Power. After an appeal, the two sides in that case reached a settlement."