Time Warner employee sues AT&T over fall from pole

A Jefferson County man working for Time Warner Cable has filed suit against AT&T, alleging he sustained back and groin injuries after a telephone pole he was climbing broke.

Nathan Atkins claims he was working for the cable company on Aug. 28, 2009, when he visited a customer's residence to move a service line.

"As he was climbing the ladder that was against the telephone pole on the property owned and maintained by Defendant, the pole broke," the suit filed Sept. 30 in Jefferson County District Court states. "He was strapped to the ladder when it fell, resulting in severe and permanent injuries to his back, groin and body generally."

Because of his fall, Atkins incurred medical costs; suffered a great deal of physical pain, mental anguish, physical incapacity and impairment; and lost earnings and his earning capacity, according to the complaint.

AT&T negligently failed to maintain the telephone pole in question and failed to complete post-hurricane inspections of its poles, the complaint says.

In his complaint, Atkins is seeking actual damages, plus interest at the highest legal rate, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Brandon P. Monk of The Monk Law Firm in Port Arthur will be representing him.

The case has been assigned to Judge Milton Shuffield, 172nd District Court.

Jefferson County District Court case number: E188-474