BUFFALO, Minn. — A jury has awarded nearly $2.5 million Waverly dairy farmers who say stray voltage from their power company's faulty equipment cut deeply into their production.
After a long legal fight that included a ruling from the Minnesota Supreme Court, a Wright County jury last month sided with farm owners Harlan and Jennifer Poppler and Roy Marschall against the Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association. They alleged that Wright-Hennepin's electrical system caused shocks to their cows because it was outdated and poorly maintained.
A jury in 2012 awarded the Popplers over $750,000, but the appellate courts ordered a new trial on the amount of damages because of errors by the trial court.
Attorney David Sienko says the Popplers are "extraordinarily pleased."
An attorney for Wright-Hennepin did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
