Entergy settles $1M suit over man’s backyard shock

Entergy Texas has reached a settlement in a personal injury lawsuit that was set for trial next month.

Seeking more than $1,000,000 in damages, Montgomery County resident Fernando Ponce filed suit against Entergy on July 16, 2013, in Jefferson County District Court, alleging he received an electrical shock while in his backyard.

A courthouse official told the Record the case was on the court’s March trial docket but the parties notified the court a settlement had been reached.

As of Feb. 3, no record of settlement is on file, court records show.

The original petition alleges the incident transpired on July 18, 2012, at Ponce’s Conroe home, but does not state what Ponce was doing when he received the alleged electrical shock.

The suit simply accused Entergy of negligently failing to maintain its power lines.

However, according to a Dec. 16 Entergy motion for summary judgment, Ponce was cleaning his yard when he raised a 20-foot angle iron and physically touched the overhead power line.

Ponce’s family members are also plaintiffs in the suit and sought emotional damages for having to watch him be shocked.

Houston attorney Christopher Fletcher represents the plaintiffs.

Judge Gary Sanderson, 60th District Court, is assigned to the case.

Case No. B194-535