Telecom Utility Sues Gas Utility for Damage to Fiber

A telecom provider has sued a gas utility for allegedly damaging its fiber-optic cable. Zayo Group contends Atlanta Gas Light damaged the line while excavating with mechanized equipment. As a result, Zayo Group alleges it suffered disturbance to its rights of use of the cables, totaling over $150,000.

It asserted the following causes of action:

• trespass for damaging the property and property rights;
• negligence for failing to excavate carefully, failing to take adequate precautions, violating the statute governing excavations, and failing to train and supervise employees; and
• strict liability for violating the statute governing damage to underground facilities

For information about fiber installation projects, click these links:

• Fiber-Installation Contracts – Cook & Associates
• Fiber Optic Installation Dispute – Cook & Associates

For information about rural utilities law, click here: RURAL UTILITIES LAW – Cook & Associates

For information about construction law and litigation, click here: CONSTRUCTION AND PROCUREMENT LAW – Cook & Associates