Dunbar couple sues water company for property damage

CHARLESTON -- A Dunbar couple is suing West Virginia-American Water Company and American Water Works Service Company for property damages.

In February 2009, a water leak developed in a water line owed, operated and maintained by the defendants in front of Gary Bean and Elizabeth Bean's home, according to a complaint filed Nov. 19 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

The couple claims they repeatedly requested the defendants to remedy the leak, but those efforts were unsuccessful for many months.

The damage done to the couple's property includes excessive saturation of the soil in front of the house and under the driveway and parking area; water intrusion into the garage; damage to the lawn; and saturation of the ground to the side and behind the home, resulting in settling of a storage building, according to the suit.

The Beans claim the defendants had a duty to keep their water line in a proper state of repair and promptly and properly remedy any defects in the line. They claim the defendants were negligent and breached their duties.

The Beans are seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. They are being represented by Marvin W. Masters and Christopher L. Brinkley.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 10-C-2107