Legal Question in Personal Injury in California
property damage coverup
a cointractor for the gas company damaged my sewer line,but instead of telling me, they covered up the damage and consequently i had problems with my sewer every so often until i personally dug up the line and discoverd the damage. I am wondering if,in addition to the actual costs to repair the pipe, the contractor should be made to pay for the fact that they attempted to hide the damage.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: property damage coverup
Very possibly.
Assuming the contractor, or his employees caused the damage, knew about it, and tried to cover it up, you would have a decent case, IF you can prove that in front of a judge or jury.
Perhaps the contractor's liability insurance company will cover some or all of your damages.
Assuming you have witnesses, or evidence to back up what you have alleged, you very definitely have the possibility of recovering damages. How much damage was there? If minor, you might want to consider Small Claims Court.
I would at least retain an attorney to write a letter to contractor demanding information about his insurance coverage, and his version of the incident.
Please feel free to e-mail, or call, my office, if you need more.
Re: property damage coverup
No.