CHARLES TOWN – The estate of a man who was electrocuted while working secured more than $3 million in settlements during a wrongful death lawsuit last year.
Jessica Bachtell filed the lawsuit in September 2011 on behalf of her late husband Patrick’s estate against Potomac Construction Industries and Sumersett Construction. Bachtell was killed in Harpers Ferry on Oct. 22, 2010.
Bachtell was the owner of New Era Homes of Smithsburg, Md., and 31 years old when he passed.
The lawsuit said Potomac Construction failed to comply with state and federal safety statutes.
“The defendant, Potomac Construction Industries, also negligently caused the unlawful emission of a hazardous substance, namely high voltage electricity,” the complaint says.
Bachtell left behind wife Jessica, infant son Wyatt, parents Douglas and Teresa, brothers Colby and Douglas II and sister Rachel Brashear.
The complaint sought economic damages of $3,717,080. On April 6, 2012, Sumersett and New Era settled for $1.8 million, with one-third of that going to the Martinsburg personal injury firm Burke, Schultz, Harman and Jenkinson.
On Aug. 6, Potomac Construction settled for $1.5 million.
From the West Virginia Record: Reach John O’Brien at jobrienwv@gmail.com.
Electrocuted man's estate recovers more than $3M
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