Freaky Halloween Storm Blamed for 11 Deaths
The powerful Halloween storm is to be blamed for 11 deaths. The "freaky" nor'easter storm was unprecedented in scope, catching millions of Americans off guard.
Some communities in Massachusetts received 27 inches of snowfall - in October.
The October storm was unexpectedly wet, rainy, and plentiful. The storm felled trees and power lines, sending thousands of Americans into the dark. 800,000 customers in Connecticut were without electricity Monday.
The storm has also affected the commute. Trains were suspended. Roads were closed. And, some public schools remained shuttered.
Children eager to begin trick-or-treating for the Halloween holiday might be facing chilly - and dark - conditions.
Some might wonder: is there any legal cause of action to be filed? Not only has the storm caused deaths, but it's left a trail of property damages and lost wages.
It's possible. There could be some lawsuits if there was negligence that contributed to any of the damages. For example, if the power company made errors that led to the blackout.
Or, if some of the deaths were caused as a result of a worker's negligence. A city may have not salted reads enough or failed to clear dead trees. Still, so far, there haven't been reports that indicate these types of errors.
The storm was dangerous because it was so unexpected. It happened so early in the season that most trees still have leaves that catch more snow. More snow means a heavier branch. This translates to more branches snapping and falling. In the meantime, it seems the nor'easter storm's effects may remain for a while, as companies struggle to restore power.
Related Resources:
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Negligence (FindLaw)
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Southwest Blackout Caused by Negligence? (FindLaw's Injured)