with Achee v. New Orleans Public Service and the City of New Orleans, 433 So 2d 1129 (1983)
On May 3, 1978, much of New Orleans flooded due to an incessant rainstorm for several hours. Parts of New Orleans East were under 3-4 feet of water. Mr. Williams grabbed a street sign to balance himself and was electrocuted. Another lady Ms. Achee touched the same sign and was thrown backwards and suffered a serious neck injury, requiring surgery. After a week long jury trial involving complicated electrical engineering issues, Mr. Ferrouillet proved that the street sign had cut an underground wire used to illuminate street lights causing the sign to be electrified during the flood. The sign was placed there by a City employee and the wire was not buried deep enough by the utility company in accordance with industry standards. Both the utility company and the City were found liable, resulting in significant monetary awards to the clients.
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