Oren & Paboojian - Fresno Personal Injury Lawyers

Widow files lawsuit over husband’s electrocution
Matt Leedy The Fresno Bee
Originally published 2005-09-09

The widow of a Fresno County cowboy is suing Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and a trucking company, claiming they are to blame for her husband’s electrocution.

Ryan Dobbs died on June30 when a lift trailer touched power lines on his ranch north of Academy. Dobbs was 29. His wife, Emily Dobbs, filed her civil lawsuit Thursday in Fresno County Superior Court. Emily Dobbs, 28, claims both compensatory and punitive damages in the suit, but doesn’t specify the amount of money she is seeking. Her lawyer, Warren Paboojian, said: “We’ll let the jury decide that.”

Ryan Dobbs, an expert steer roper, was attempting to move sand into his riding arena when he was killed by the electrical shock.

The suit alleges that Herb Simon, who owns and operates Simon & Simon Enterprises, delivered the sand to Dobbs’ ranch and parked a large truck and trailer under power lines. Simon then told Dobbs to operate and raise the lift trailer, which hit the power lines, killing Dobbs.

Simon couldn’t be reached for comment.

He is responsible for parking the truck under the power lines and not warning Dobbs of the danger, according to the suit. Simon also is accused of not bringing an adequate trailer to unload the sand.

PG&E is accused of allowing the power lines to sag too low. The company knew the lines were sagging and in disrepair for months, according to the suit.

Liz Gomez, a PG&E spokeswoman, wouldn’t comment on the lawsuit but said: “We’re extremely sensitive to the family and their grief. Our hearts go out to them”

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