BELLEVILLE — An underground cable owner is suing an excavating company, alleging the defendant's negligence led to the cutting of the plaintiff's cable wire.
Ameren Illinois Company filed a lawsuit Aug. 1 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Hank's Excavating & Landscaping Inc., alleging failure to comply with the Illinois Underground Utility Facilities Damage Prevention Act.
According to the complaint, on July 9, 2015, Hank's Excavating employees were doing excavating work near the plaintiff's electric cable in Cahokia. While doing work, the suit says, the encased electric cable was hit and damaged, causing Ameren Illinois to incur damages of at least $62,540.50.
The plaintiff alleges Hank's Excavating breached its duty to act reasonably in doing its work and failed to cover and protect the electric cable to keep it from being damaged.
Ameren Illinois seeks trial by jury, judgment of $62,540.50, plus pre-judgment interest and costs of suit. It is represented by attorney Edward Q. Costa of Samuels, Miller, Schroeder, Jackson & Sly LLP in Decatur.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 16-L-401