Neighbor calls plummer to find pipe, cuts into our fios line and WE have to pay!

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DCal430

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2011
6,020
9
81
The plumber and homeowner where the work was performed are the ones who should pay the costs...HOWEVER, I'd just bitch to Verizon...tell them your service is out...and has been out for x days...and DEMAND they come fix your service. It's up to them to recoup the costs from the liable parties.

Actually reading the law that someone posted, it seems like VZ is the one who is liable as they did not bury the line properly, as a few inches is not deep enough.
 

DCal430

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2011
6,020
9
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(3) Except where the excavator has fully complied with the provisions of Section 77-13-5 and subsections (1) and (2) of this section, each person responsible for excavation that results in damage to an underground line or underground facility, except the property owner, unless the property owner is the excavator, shall be responsible for any and all costs and expenses incurred by the operator in restoring, correcting, repairing or replacing the damaged line or facility.

Now section 77-15-5

(3) Compliance with the notice requirements of this section shall not be required of: (a) persons plowing less than twenty-four (24) inches in depth for agricultural purposes; (b) persons who are moving or otherwise displacing, by hand, earth, rock or other material or mass of material on or below the ground at a depth of less than twelve (12) inches on property they own; and (c) persons, other than the property owner, who are moving or otherwise displacing, by hand, earth, rock or other material or mass of material on or below the ground at a depth of less than twelve (12) inches, except when such excavation is in a clearly marked underground facility right-of-way.

As the dig was under 12 inches he was in compliant with the law, and the utility is responsible. This is because the wire should be over 12 inches unless permanently marked.
 

Minerva

Platinum Member
Nov 18, 1999
2,115
11
81
A few calls is all it took.
They marked the ground where the UG electric service is which is a good thing because it's a 12,600 volt feeder! Both corning cables are in bright orange conduit about 16" below the soil now.

Cost: $0.00

:D

It's still a mystery about the plumber though. They fired that guy thank goodness!
 

Exterous

Super Moderator
Jun 20, 2006
20,348
3,426
126
Glad to hear it worked out. Did you have to make any calls beyond Verizon or was it just a manner of getting to the right person?