Gerdes

Plaintiff H. A. Gerdes and Barbara Gerdes, his wife, received personal injuries in an explosion and fire which almost completely demolished their residence. The husband brought an action to recover for personal injuries sustained by him and a separate action to recover for loss of services of his wife and for her medical, hospital and other expenses. Mrs. Gerdes brought an action to recover for personal injuries sustained by her, and Mr. and Mrs. Gerdes, together with the two companies carrying insurance on the Gerdes’ residence and furnishings, filed a fourth suit to recover for the destruction thereof. The actions were consolidated for trial. The court granted a nonsuit as to defendant Spring Valley Company by consent of all parties. The ease as to the other three defendants went to the jury, which returned a verdict in favor of plaintiffs against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the Olympic Salt Water Company, but exonerated the city and county of San Francisco. By said verdict damages were assessed in the total sum of $40,000, apportioned as follows: personal injuries to Mrs. Gerdes, $15,000; personal injuries to Mr. Gerdes, $7,500; to Mr. Gerdes for loss of services…