damaged by contractor

municipality hired contractor to do work for them , he damaged our property to the sum of 15oo.oo. we have tried to get the contractor to talk to us about the damge but they refuse, seems that we will have to take to small claims court. Question is do file against the contractor or the city, or both? Or should we have a lawyer take care of it. this is in Illinois

[This message has been edited by lytle1gw (edited October 26, 2000).]

I am a law school graduate. What I offer is mere information, not to be construed as forming an attorney client relationship.

Can you please explain this a little more clearly about how you, municipality and the contractor are involved.

Don't name names but please spell out details.

contractor came to me about trimming trees on our property, i showed him what trees could be trimmed and that the city ordinance allowed him to only sut 6 feet away from the power lines, he agreed that thi s was all that would be cut, however he cut all the limbs off of one side to the trunk of the tree which is 20 feet from the lines and cut 40 feet up the tree, now all of the weight is one on side of the tree and will probably fall on our house. city said that they had contracted this company and that they should have followed the ordinance of 6 feet, but there is nothing that they can do that we have to collect damages from the company. we have sent letters to this company but they refuse to respond even to certified letters. the mayor said he had talked to them and they indicated that we could not reach an agreement, i explained its hard to reach an agreement when only one side is comunicating. who do we file against, city or the company?