Edward I. Koch, as Mayor of the City of New York, et al., Respondents- Appellants, v. Consolidated Edison Company Of New York, INC., Appellant-Respondent.

"The New York Blackout Case"

When a public utility fails to provide its services, should it be liable for possible economic harm flowing from the disruption in service?

Defendant electric-power company negligently caused a blackout. Plaintiff municipality sued for the increased overtime wages of police, fire, sanitation and hospital personnel as a consequence of the blackout; other plaintiffs sued for lost sales, transfers, transactions, tolls and fares not paid; and lastly, some plaintiffs sued for property damage resulting from looting and vandalism by rioters.

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