A Florida appeals court upheld a $12.5 million jury verdict in a Lee County teen’s electrocution death — but overturned part of the decision that would have required Florida Power & Light to pay an additional $15 million in punitive damages.

The ruling by a panel of the 2nd District Court of Appeal stemmed from a December 2011 incident in which 15-year-old Justin Dominguez was climbing a tall stalk of bamboo that bent into a power line. He was electrocuted and eventually died.

The teen’s mother, Tricia Dominguez, filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against FPL, which was responsible for the power line. She alleged that the utility had failed to follow its maintenance and safety standards when it did not remove the bamboo as part of clearing vegetation.

A Lee County jury awarded $12.5 million in non-economic damages — often described as damages for pain and suffering — and another $15 million in punitive damages, the appeals court ruling said.

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