Two Colorado telecommunications companies are suing a Louisiana construction company over claims of negligence resulting in damaged cables.
Level 3 Communications LLC and WilTel Communications LLC filed a complaint Sept. 16 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana against Danrik Construction Inc., alleging negligence and trespassing.
Per an agreement with the city of Baton Rouge, Level 3 laid fiber-optic cable underground in the road right-of-way on the west side of River Road near its intersection with Florida Boulevard.
On Sept. 17, 2014, the complaint states, while conducting excavation operations with mechanized equipment near the aforementioned intersection, Danrik damaged Level 3's fiber-optic cable, which had been previously marked off by orange paint and orange flags.
The complaint states that Danrik was negligent in its damaging excavation, resulting in Level 3 sustaining damages.
The plaintiffs seek a judgment of more than $75,000, plus costs of the suit and attorney fees. They are represented by Leigh Ann Schell and Joseph H. Hart of Kuchler, Polk, Schell, Weiner and Richeson LLC in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana case number 2:15-cv-04438-MLCF-DEK