Charter blamed for man's backyard trip

A Glen Carbon man who sustained injuries after tripping over a cable wire in his back yard filed a personal injury suit against Charter Communications in Madison County Circuit Court Oct. 25.

Edward Sovacool claims prior to March 30, Charter installed a cable line from a cable junction on or near the rear of his lot, and ran it through the rear of his yard to adjoining properties.

"During the fall and winter months of 2005, 2006, leaves and other debris has accumulated in the area of the cable installation, and had covered portions of Charter's cable," the complaint states.

He claims he was mowing his grass on March 30, when he tripped and fell over the cable that was installed.

Sovacool claims Charter failed to bury the cable beneath the surface to eliminate tripping hazards, failed to mark, flag or otherwise designate the location of the cable so as to make its presence known, failed to remove the cable and failed to warn of the cable's location.

According to Sovacool, he received serious and permanent personal injuries causing him to spend large amounts of money for medical care and lose wages.

Represented by William Beatty of Glen Carbon, Sovacool is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, but less than $75,000.

06 L 953