City of League City accused of damaging telecommunication facilities

GALVESTON - The city of League City is the target of a lawsuit alleging it damaged telecommunications facilities within its city limits.

In court papers filed Aug. 7 in Galveston County District Court, GTE Southwest Inc., doing business as Verizon Southwest, accuses the city of ruining its pedestal and telecommunications cable and conduit facilities near the intersection of Woodcock Street and Lawrence Road on Aug. 16, 2011.

The original petition states that an employee of the defendant purportedly caused the damage as they were mowing property in the area in question.

"At the time of the incident, the defendant was engaging in an extraordinary use of the ground and intentionally set mechanized equipment into motion," the suit says.

"This mechanized equipment came into contact with and damaged the plaintiff's telecommunications facilities, thus violating the property rights of the plaintiff and causing the plaintiff's damages."

The complainant insists the aforementioned facilities "were lawfully in place at that location."

Consequently, it seeks $4,093.66 in damages.

Attorney David C. Redford of Brown Sims in Houston is representing the plaintiff, and

Galveston County 122nd District Court Judge John Ellisor is presiding over the case.

Case No. 13-CV-1031