“ Drop wire” damage claim from CMR

[bamboo11]

I had been cleaning up and removing the weed in the backyard. During this process, the verizon Fios Cable that was lying 2" deep below the ground got cut. I called Verizon customer support the operator opened a work order ticket to send the technician come over fix it. Technician from Verizon promptly put a new temporary cable on a ground, without even mentioning of any possible charge from Verizon, as the original cable was buried barely 2”deep under the ground. 

According NEC 830.47 underground broadband communication cable without safety conduit must be installed at least 18” deep and with conductive tape above. Also, check FOA standards, instructions and manuals, like Drop_Const_manual_CO_107145 (p26). In numerous published on this board cases the same story reappeared every time with a complaint on a bill from Verizon for damaged cable that was buried only 2-3”deep. If it was a systematic violation, why we, customers should be responsible for Verizon's own mistakes from the past 'gold rush' era of expansion? 

The technician said that another group of people would come to bury the permanent cable within one week. I was waiting them and tried to give them advice not to cut through our septic tank area. Without notice they came and cut through the septic tank area. Why did they do things without cautious consideration?

After one month the temporary cable was still on the lawn. It was hard for us to mow the lawn. I think they totally forgot this temporary cable. So we called them to install the permanent cable and took away the temporary one. Then I received a bill from CMR for $465.03 for cutting the fiber optic cable.

The Damage claim number is {edited for privacy}

The date of Damage/Discovery: 05/02/2015

I would appreciate a resolution to this matter.

Thanks

Bamboo1

[ElizabethS · Accepted solution]

Your issue has been escalated to a Verizon agent. Before the agent can begin assisting you, they will need to collect further information from you.

Please go to your profile page here on the forum, and look in the middle, right at the top where you will find an area titled "My Support Cases". You can reach your profile page by clicking on your name beside your post, or at the top left of this page underneath the title of the board.

Under “My Support Cases” you will find a link to the private board where you and the agent may exchange information. This should be checked on a frequent basis as the agent may be waiting for information from you before they can proceed with any actions.

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Please keep all correspondence regarding your issue in the private support portal.