Michigan Court Backs Emotional Damages in Home Loss Due to Oil

Four hundred gallons of heating oil in the basement? The Michigan appeals court says that’s distressing.

The court has upheld a $100,000 verdict for a Clinton County woman whose home had to be demolished after oil was mistakenly pumped into a pipe that no longer was connected to a tank.

High Pointe Oil claimed Beckie Price wasn’t entitled to sue for emotional distress. Her insurance company had paid $175,000 for the loss of the home in DeWitt.

But the appeals court said that Price was entitled to seek money for non-economic damages. The court noted that Price was depressed after losing her home and moving in with her parents.

The court says a home provides memories as well as shelter.