Huntington man sues over broken water line

HUNTINGTON -- A Huntington man is suing West Virginia-American Water Company and the American Water Works Service Company after a water main break developed.

In February 2009, a water main break developed in a water line owned, operated and maintain by the defendants in front of Timothy L. Eves property, according to a complaint filed Feb. 1 in Cabell Circuit Court.

Eves claims the water main break caused excessive saturation of the soil, parking area and sidewalk in front of his property; water infiltration into the building, resulting in cracking and scaling of the interior; and corrosion and water-related damages to building systems.

Because of the water main break, Eves had to take action to repair the property by excavating the area in and around the leak, according to the suit.

Eves claims the defendants were negligent in failing to remedy any defects in the line.

The defendants' failure to keep their water line in repair and promptly and properly repair the leak created a nuisance for Eves, according tot he suit.

Eves is seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. He is representing himself.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge David M. Pancake.

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 11-C-49