The telecommunications giant Verizon has filed a civil lawsuit against Philadelphia Gas Works, alleging that the city agency damaged equipment belonging to the plaintiff during a repair job.
Attorney Christopher H. Wright, of the Wayne, Pa.-based law firm Christopher H. Wright & Associates, P.C., filed the property damage lawsuit June 9 at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on behalf of Verizon Pennsylvania Inc.
According to the complaint, PGW workers struck and damaged underground Verizon cables, wires, conduit and communications facilities when the defendant was preforming drilling, boring and excavating work in late June 2009.
PGW, the suit states, was attempting to repair a utility line in the 3400 block of North 17th Street at the time of the alleged incident.
The complaint accuses PGW of carelessness and negligence in failing to ascertain whether Verizon had underground cables, wires and other equipment in the area where the excavating work was to take place.
Other charges in the suit against PGW include accusing the defendant of failing to exercise due care and take reasonable steps necessary to avoid damage or to otherwise interfere with Verizon’s equipment, and for failing to adequately supervise and control the work to ensure that Verizon’s equipment wouldn’t be damaged.
The lawsuit states that Verizon discovered the damage to its property on or about July 2, 2009. Verizon claims it had to expend $298,530.18 to repair the damage to its property.
Verizon seeks a judgment against PGW in excess of the repair costs it had to pay, in addition to interest and related court costs.
The non-jury matter awaits case management.
The case number is 110600602.
Verizon files property damage claim against Philadelphia Gas Works
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