Kari asked:


The final question is if this is one of those things you fight or let go.
And I have already done the “it’s the principle that matters”.
Ok… an excavating company did what’s called a “cut” in the street. They were contracted by the water company who was ultimately given the right of way by the city to perform.
They usually are to put large metal plates over the cut. As well as a warning barricade.
But it was only done on one side of the street. I hit a washout in the cut directly with my front wheel.
Why, it wasn’t covered, I don’t know. It just wasn’t done.
So I am out about $300 repair damage to the front end (wheel ball joint) of my car.
I realize that’s minimal since it could of been so much more damage.
It’s not like a nail was in the road and it’s “no fault”.
It could of been prevented were it not due to someones negligence of not following proper procedures.
The question before the one above is, who would be ultimately responsible for the damage?
Already been through the “food chain” from the water company, excavator was hostile to civility (go figure) and the Mayor said he talked to the city lawyer and was advised to go back to excavator. I asked who was the real Mayor if he had to “ask permission”

Kari asked:


Last week I was driving down a local street at night and it been raining all day.
I was going well below the 30 mph speed limit. (about 20-25)
An excavator was responsible for doing what’s called a “cut” in the road for the local water company.
A cut is about 2 ft. wide, stretches across the road and normally is like driving over railroad tracks when gravel is packed in.
They used metal plates to cover the road on one side, but didn’t use anything on the other and left it exposed.
With all the rain all day, it created a chuckhole about 3 ft deep.
There were no warnings IE: flashing barricades, construction signs, etc.
I hit it directly and it caused $300 to my suspension to my car.
When I reported it to the city they were out there that night with stone to fill and a barricade.
I talked to the excavating company owner about it.
I was civil and the owner, but he was a complete jack ass.
I hadn’t even asked for anything. I was going to offer splitting the cost.
Should I sue?

Nicole M asked:


We were just served lawsuit paperwork stating that an excavating company didn’t get paid $114000 when all the homes in our development were being built. This occurred before we purchased the home. They are requesting to be paid this amount and a mechanic’s lien to be placed on all of the properties.

We purchased title insurance at closing. Will this protect us from this mess? Can a mechanic’s lien still be placed on our home with title insurance? We are so worried that we will have to come up with this money for nothing that we had done.

curious mom asked:


aid. I do have a signed contract. How and Who do I place a lien on to get the rest of what I’m owed?

Dorato asked:


I would like to demolish a small house and garage on my property and want to rent a excavator for the day. Is this something I could do myself? I live in Ma.