Opinion ID: 1760152
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Basis of the Claim

Text: A public utility[ [2] ] is obligated to serve all members of the public that it holds itself out to serve, fairly and without discrimination. Miller v. Hillview Water Works Project, Inc., 273 Ala. 267, 271, 139 So.2d 337, 339 (1962). This duty ... exists independent of [a] statute regulating the manner in which such utilities do business.... The duty is imposed because [public utilities] are organized to do a business affected with a public interest and are held out to the public as being willing to serve all of its members. 273 Ala. at 271, 139 So.2d at 340. A breach of such public duty is a tort, wherein the measure of damages is governed by the rules of tort actions. Alabama Water Serv. Co. v. Wakefield, 231 Ala. 112, 115, 163 So. 626, 628 (1935). Thus, in actions alleging the wrongful termination of utility services, damages for mental distress are recoverable, 231 Ala. at 116, 163 So. at 628, and, when the circumstances justify it, [so are] punitive damages. Sims v. Alabama Water Co., 205 Ala. 378, 380, 87 So. 688, 690 (1920); Birmingham Waterworks Co. v. Keiley, 2 Ala.App. 629, 56 So. 838 (1911).