PITTSBURGH — Verizon Pennsylvania is facing a negligence claim after a bicyclist was allegedly struck by a low-hanging line strung across the roadway.
James Yurek and Mary Susan Yurek filed a complaint Feb. 3 in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County against Verizon Pennsylvania Inc., alleging negligence.
James was riding his bicycle on Old Leechburg Road on March 29, 2020, according to the plaintiffs' complaint. He claims that suddenly and without warning, as he rounded a bend in the roadway, he collided with a low-hanging Verizon line that was strung across the roadway that came into contact with his neck.
The plaintiffs allege Yurek was violently thrown from his bicycle due to the power line and suffered a fractured ankle, ligature marks on his neck and road rash abrasions on several parts of his body. They claim Verizon's negligence for failing to warn of the line, failure to cordon off, block access or detour the area and for their failure to inspect the area for defects on the roadway that posed a harm to motorists or bicyclists.
The Yureks seek monetary relief, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Paul Mayer, Jr., of Friday & Cox LLC in Pittsburgh.