Homeowner sues electric company employees for allegedly crushing sewage line and causing sewage to backup in home

GRETNA – A Jefferson Parish homeowner and his insurer are suing an electric company and its employees for allegedly destroying a sewer line that caused sewage to backup into his home.

Allstate Insurance Company as a partial subrogee of John Evans filed suit against Thompson Electric Inc., the Cincinnatti Insurance Company and three unknown employees in the 24th Judicial District Court on Jan. 28.

Evans claims three unknown employees of Thompson Electric drove onto his property in a bucket truck to service a utility line and cracked a subsurface sewer line in the process. The plaintiff alleges that the crushed line caused sewage to backup into his home, causing flooding in his bathroom and bedroom. Allstate asserts it has provided amicable demand to defendants, but have allegedly received nothing.

The defendant is accused of negligent and defective workmanship and supervision, failing to protect the plaintiff's residence from a known risk of loss, improper employee supervision and training and failing to comply with industry standards.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for Evans' property insurance claim for the damage allegedly caused in the amount of $4,307.21 plus his deductible of $1,000.

The plaintiffs are represented by Timothy R.W. Kappel of the Sloan Law Firm PLC of Kingston Springs, Tenn.

The case has been assigned to Division H Judge Glenn B. Ansardi.

Case no. 723-373.