Wayne woman sues power company, contractor over husband's electrocution death

WAYNE - A Wayne County woman has filed a suit against a power company after her husband was electrocuted while working on a power pole.

Ora Renea Saunders filed a suit June 26 in Wayne Circuit Court against Pike Electric, Appalachian Power Company and American Electric Power on behalf of her late husband, Michael Todd Saunders.

Michael Saunders was a linesman with Pike Electric, an electrical contractor. AEP is a general contractor for Pike.

According to the suit, Saunders was working on a pole in Dunlow on June 29, 2005, when he was came into contact with an energized line, was shocked and killed.

Ora Saunders claims the defendants failed to perform a job briefing and failed to provide protective equipment at the job site.

Ora Saunders and her family claim they have incurred sorry, mental anguish, and solace, including the society, companionship, comfort and guidance of Michael Saunders, as well as funeral expenses of $15,000.

In the four-count suit, Ora Saunders seeks damages on behalf of her husband's estate.

Attorney Charles Hatcher Jr. is representing Saunders. The case has been assigned to Judge Darrell Pratt.

Wayne Circuit Court case number 07-C-159