For years there has been a critical demand within the sign industry for a book on the structural engineering of signs. This comprehensive text more than meets that demand -- it exceeds it. Sign companies, ...
I went to check out the damage, a man was doing a repair on a thick black cable about the size of a garden hose. It was almost 2 feet from from where I was digging and about 4 inches deeper. I know I didn't hit anything as I dug a hole to install a sign. I was just useing a post hole digger into sand. What does it take to damage these kind of cables, how can I fight this. Please help!
Oh man, I'll just jump in my time machine and give them a ring! Sorry, I'm just being a smart ass, I'll keep that in mind for future reference. I just received a letter from them requesting my "investigation report". I composed a letter of intent to fight this with FULL DETAIL, should I have this reviewed by a lawyer before I send it? Is the burden of proof on them? Is there anybody with any advise I can use? SH#T!!!!!!!
Here in Georgia, it is the law that you call the utility locate prior to any digging, regardless of the depth you are digging. In order to fight this, you will need to provide a utility locate number. I am experienced in this since I hit a 6" gas main once and shut down 1/2 the county. Once I provided my utility locate number, it was determined that they marked the site wrong and that I did everything by the book. Without this, I think you are up s... creek without a paddle.
Good luck!
Did you get a utilities locate done? If your were in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina or any other state we have worked in, your screwed. Law says call before you dig.
We get locates on everything. I actually had a person with the Georgia Utilities Locate service ask me to give them a break once. I call in one to ten locates a day. If we are going to do any digging, even with a tea spoon into our bowl of cereal, we get a locate.
I was putting a bird feeder up in my back yard once and hit a plastic gas pipe that went to the neighbors house behind me. It was less than 4 inches deep and I had to pay for the repair.
Here in Georgia, there are no regulations on depth of burial for phone and cable TV. It is common in new developments now for the cable folks to run their lines across the ground and then just cover them with sod.
We hit a phone line a few years ago which took down all communications for one of these big outlet malls. They lost phones and the ability to take credit cards for three hours. Everyone started talking about suing me but once I produced my Utilities Locate number and the phone company determined they missed their locate, I skated.
There was a local contractor around here once that hit the fiber optic bundle that handled the local airports air traffic control and a lot of our public safety traffic. Repairs and fines totaled 150,000 dollars. If your not locating every dig site your just asking for trouble. One mistake can break you.
Calling the locator's is free and takes 3 to 5 minutes per location. If your not doing this and hit something, its your fault and fighting is just going to cause you more time and grief. If its your word against a utility company, I would guess you will loose without an iron tight case. And your still going to have to admit in court that you broke the law even if your found not to be at fault. hmmm. I would pay up and count it as a lesson learned.
Michael
Quality Signs Since 1952.
We're not fast or cheap. Nothing is done yesterday, today or tomorrow. We combine old world craftsmanship with modern manufacturing techniques at a fair price and refuse to do low bid work.
Did anyone get photos of the hole you were digging and the location of the "damaged" cable???? This can help your battle....
I was installing some channel letters on a stucco facia once many years ago in Ocala Fl when the entire ceiling collasped (I mean the entire ceiling lathe and stucco came down the length of the strip center!!!!! But it started cracking 75' from where we were working.......it started in the front and hinged right into all the storefront windows.......it even turned the corner!!!
I took 100 photos of the accident, showing the 1/2" STAPLES holding the lathe on!!!!! These photos proved to the insurance that we actually were not at fault but the contractor's fault for not using the correct attachment method for the stucco.
Sorry I was so long winded but the ceiling almost killed me and my helper that night. GOOD LUCK!
did you call a Miss Utility and have the site mark --also check to see they did not move the original marks ----if you keeps the clearance as specified say 2 feet in some areas it is greater than 2 ft. -----we always photograph the lines before we dig --they have tried to blame me a couple of times --but because of photos and them marking the lines wrong --it was there responsibility. Hope this helps --gerry h
There are various agencies to call before you EVER dig a footer anywhere in the country. In most states if you don't call, you are subject to a fine and the cost of repairs.
Just think if you hit a gas line.... bye bye sign company. Possibly bye bye you or some innocent bystander.
I'm really sick of INCOMPETENT sign companies. Who the [heck] gave you guys a license?
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