WINFIELD — A Hurricane couple is suing the Putnam Public Service District claiming their home was flooded due to a line that was damaged.
Frontier Communications of American Inc. and Primo Drilling were also named as defendants in the case.
Zachary Dunham and Ashley Dunham claim that on March 23, 2022, the defendants were installing or constructing infrastructure to provide internet service to consumers in Putnam County, according to a complaint filed in Putnam Circuit Court.
During the process, Frontier and Primo were digging and/or boring along a public street at an elevation above the Dunhams' home and damaged a public water service line, causing the line to discharge water and flood the Dunhams' home, according to the suit.
The Dunhams claim Frontier and Primo were negligent in installing the infrastructure for the placement of internet service lines, which caused or contributed to the flooding of the plaintiff's home.
"All activities arising from the above-referenced incident were conducted in furtherance of and within the scope of Frontier's for-profit business of selling internet service to consumers in Putnam County, West Virginia," the complaint stated.
The Putnam Public Service District was charged with identifying and marking the location of its public water and wastewater service lines in preparation for digging or boring by Frontier and Primo, according to the suit.
The Dunhams claim the defendants' wrongful actions caused them to incur significant damages for which they have received no compensation.
The Dunhams allege their personal property was damaged and the value of their home was diminished. They claim their fixtures and real property were also damaged due to the flooding of their home.
The Dunhams are seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. They are represented by Thomas H. Peyton of Peyton Law Firm in Nitro.
Putnam Circuit Court case number: 23-C-43
