Jackson v. Metropolitan Edison Co.

Jackson v. Metropolitan Edison Co. (1980) was a Supreme Court case addressing whether a utility company can be sued in federal court for damages caused by a blackout, even if federal law doesn’t explicitly waive its immunity. The Court held that if a company’s negligence (like poor maintenance or operation) directly causes harm, it can be held liable under state law, and these claims can be heard in federal court if federal jurisdiction exists. Essentially, the case clarified that utility companies are not automatically immune from lawsuits stemming from their negligence, provided the plaintiff complies with relevant jurisdictional rules.