Indiana residents who were injured or lost money in the August 2026 northwest Indiana power outages may be covered by proposed class actions alleging Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) failed to keep trees and vegetation clear of its power lines. No class has been certified and there is nothing to file yet.
Allegations Only · No Settlement Yet
This article describes a class action complaint. The statements below are unproven allegations. Northern Indiana Public Service Co. has not been found liable, there is no certified class, and nothing to claim at this time. This page is informational and is not legal advice.
What Is This About?
Severe storms on August 11, 2026 knocked out power across northwest Indiana, and some homes and businesses were still dark nearly two weeks later. Residents have since filed two proposed class actions in Porter County Superior Court against Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO), both brought by the Kenneth Allen Law Group. The larger case, Tipold v. Northern Indiana Public Service Co., names 17 northwest Indiana residents as plaintiffs. A separate suit filed days earlier by one of those residents, Case No. 64D02-2608-CT-009144, makes similar claims.Both suits allege that NIPSCO did not adequately trim trees and other vegetation near its power lines, which the plaintiffs say made the outages worse and contributed to repeated outages since August 2024. NIPSCO says it strongly disagrees and will defend the case. The complaints are not publicly posted, so this article relies on news reports of what they say.
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What the Lawsuits Allege
According to news reports of the complaints, the plaintiffs claim NIPSCO:- Ignored public requests to deal with hazardous trees and vegetation near its lines.
- Failed to identify and remove hazard trees and to keep vegetation a safe distance from distribution and transmission lines.
- Did not properly inspect poles and lines for vegetation problems.
- Did not keep a large enough vegetation-management workforce.
The complaint in the Tipold case says the August 11 outage affected 317,000 customers, nearly 60% of NIPSCO’s electric customers. NIPSCO has put its total storm outages higher, at more than 338,000. The residents say they lost spoiled food and suffered other economic losses, and some say they were physically hurt or suffered emotionally. News reports describe a plaintiff whose oral surgery ended early when the power failed, and another whose hip surgery was delayed.
At a press conference, the plaintiffs’ lawyers also said Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) records show NIPSCO charges the highest residential rate of any electric utility in the state, $233.62 per 1,000 kilowatt-hours, and has the state’s worst reliability record. Those are the law firm’s statements, not findings by the IURC.
NIPSCO’s Response
NIPSCO says it strongly disagrees with how the lawsuits and the firm describe its vegetation management practices and will vigorously defend the company. It says its electric operations, including vegetation management, are overseen by the IURC, and that its vegetation management spending has more than doubled since 2016. The company described the August storms as causing unprecedented damage to its system. Indiana’s governor sought a federal major disaster declaration for 54 counties, citing winds of up to 99 mph near Gary.Who Could Be Included?
The Tipold plaintiffs ask the court to certify a class of Indiana residents who suffered personal injury or financial harm because of what they describe as NIPSCO’s negligent vegetation management. The earlier suit seeks to represent people who suffered personal injury. A judge has not certified either class, and the definitions may change.What the Lawsuits Seek
The plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages in amounts to be determined, and the law firm says it also wants changes to NIPSCO’s vegetation management practices, including trimming on a regular five-to-seven-year cycle. No amount has been awarded.What Happens Next?
NIPSCO has referred to an amended complaint in its statements, and the case is at an early stage. The next steps would ordinarily be NIPSCO’s formal response in court, possibly a motion to dismiss, and later a motion to certify a class. Utility outage cases often turn on the regulator’s role and on how much of the damage the storm itself would have caused regardless of tree trimming.Questions
Is this related to NIPSCO outage credits or reimbursements?
No. The lawsuits are separate from any credit, reimbursement or claims program NIPSCO or its regulator may offer. Anyone seeking reimbursement for spoiled food or other losses from the utility itself should check NIPSCO’s own channels.
Where is the NIPSCO case being heard?
In Porter County Superior Court in Indiana, a state court. Filings are not on the federal PACER system. The larger case lists the court as Porter County Superior Court and was brought on behalf of 17 named residents.
Does someone have to live in Porter County to be included?
No. The proposed class in the larger case covers Indiana residents who suffered personal injury or financial harm from the alleged negligent vegetation management, not just Porter County residents. No class has been certified.
Does anyone need to do anything now?
No. There is no settlement, claim form or deadline. If a class is certified or the case settles, the court would approve a notice explaining what class members can do.
Sources
- Indiana Capital Chronicle — Northwest Indiana residents sue NIPSCO after storms leave thousands in the dark (Aug. 24, 2026)
- The Indiana Lawyer — Northwest Indiana residents sue NIPSCO after storms leave thousands in the dark
- The Indiana Lawyer — NIPSCO sued over surgery delay triggered by recent power failure
- FOX 32 Chicago — Indiana class-action lawsuit targets NIPSCO after prolonged power outages
