<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by abbie:
Last January my mothers new house was flooded whith sewer water, causing about $5,000 in damages. The problem was a huge bolder stuck in the sewer line out undernieth the street. The city denies liability and blames it on the contractor (it is a brand new subdivision) and of course the contractor says the city is liable. So who really is???<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Typical pass the buck syndrome between builder and government. Usually in new subdivisions the City requires that the builder post a bond to insure completion of all utility/common area development that will be dedicated to the City. This work may include water/sewer lines, telephone, gas, cable, sidewalks, medians, curbs/gutters, roads, landscaping, lighting etc. Check with the City to see if there was a bond posted and who owns the road and the sewer line. Is the owner the City or still the developer of the subdivision? Since the subject development is brand new, it is more than likely that the builder is responsible to repair the problem. The respective insurance company usually pays on a claim of this type but the repair cost is less than the City or builders deductible in this case.
Get to the bottom of this, do more investigation, and don't take any crap from the responsible party.
