Family of Woman Electrocuted in New York Settles With Utility

The family of a woman electrocuted while walking her dogs last winter received a $6.25 million cash settlement Tuesday from the utility that acknowledged her death was caused by an improperly wrapped wire.

Consolidated Edison also agreed to pay for a $1-million scholarship and research fund at Columbia University in memory of Jodie Lane, 30, a doctoral student who was killed Jan. 16 when she stepped on the metal cover of a utility box while walking her two dogs.

“We are gratified that something positive is coming from Jodie’s unfortunate and untimely death,” said Stanley Witkow, spokesman for the Lane family.

The Lane family, using part of the settlement, plans to create a foundation to pursue ways to improve public safety in the city.

Of the $6.25 million to be paid to the Lane family, $5.27 million is for the claim of wrongful death and the rest is for Lane’s pain and suffering, according to court papers filed in Manhattan.

A utility investigation found that a year before Lane’s death, workers wrapped an exposed wire in the box with electrical tape, rather than required rubber and plastic tapes. The electrical tape deteriorated and the copper wire was exposed again.