Legal Question in Construction Law in Pennsylvania

Gas Company Repairs on private property

Greetings:

Recently my sewer line backed up for the 4th time and we were forced to lay a new line based on sewere line camera readings. When the repairs began we quickly learned that our backups were caused by a gas company repair that re-routed our sewer line uphill! The gas company neglingently re-routed their gas line through my property and moved my sewer line so that it had to run uphill to get to the main borough line. No digging or new line would have been necessary had this ''repair'' not taken place. I am interested in filing a civil suit to recover the property lost in teh backups and the costs of relaying the line. My question is: where do I begin in filing the suit?

Thanks for your time!


Asked on 9/19/02, 10:23 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Re: Gas Company Repairs on private property

OK, one step at a time! Litigation costs MUCH in $$$, time and emotional energy. Therefore, you use a tack hammer when that's all that is necessary, and a sledge hammer whey you have to! FIRST, w-r-i-t-e to the gas company, and 3explain the situation, then ask that someone contact you to set up an inspection, and to address your problem. When you speak with them, let them tell you what they will do FIRST, then, if they do not offer to pay your expenses to date, tell them that you expect them to "make you whole". This is a legal term, and they should know what it means. If they refuse to make you whole, let them do whatever they will to correct your problem, and file for your damages then. You may even be able to file in small claims, depending on your out of pocket expenses.

Good luck.

Kevin J. Begley

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Answered on 9/19/02, 5:42 pm


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