Southwestern Bell Sues Tex. Firm for Damaging Fiber Cable During Excavation

Garland, Texas-based Urbina’s Cable struck and damaged underground fiber cable owned by Southwestern Bell while excavating for cable for cable TV in Fort Worth Dec. 7, 2021, said a Monday petition (docket 017-347372-23) in Tarrant County, Texas, District Court. Urbina employees or agents failed to observe markings for the fiber cables that were properly located and marked, it said. Southwestern Bell incurred costs of $12,738 to repair the cables, it said. It named Urbina’s Cable “vicariously liable” for the negligent acts of its employees or agents under the respondent superior doctrine, meaning the negligent act was done with full authorization of the defendant, said the petition. The plaintiff asserts claims of trespass and negligence and seeks $12,738, plus prejudgment interest and legal costs.