B.C. man who severed gas line, balked at repair bill ordered to pay $3,400
A B.C. man who accidentally severed a natural gas line and then balked at the repair bill has been ordered to fork over $3,400, despite claiming the FortisBC crew that responded had wasted time "shooting the breeze."
The ruling by the province's small claims court underscores the importance of following FortisBC's oft-repeated TV ad slogan: "Call before you dig."
Ryszard Szczepanski admitted he damaged the gas line back in August 2019, and did not dispute that he failed to contact FortisBC in advance to ensure he wouldn't be interfering with any underground utilities.
He also accepted responsibility for covering the costs of the repair – but refused to pay the subsequent invoice for $3,217, arguing to the B.C. Civil Resolution Tribunal that the bill was far beyond the "value and time" of the work involved.
"Mr. Szczepanski says that the repair costs were higher than they needed to be because the crew 'took advantage' of the situation to increase their overtime pay," tribunal member Lynn Scrivener wrote in her decision, which was posted online Tuesday. "He says that, despite the length of time the crew was on the site, it only took them about an hour and a half of work to fix the gas line."
Szczepanski said the rest of the crew's time was spent milling around, chatting and breaking for a meal, and that he feels "cheated as a customer," according to the decision.
FortisBC noted the employees were working overtime because Szczepanski cut the gas line on a weekend, and highlighted the complicated nature of responding to potentially dangerous gas leaks.
"FortisBC says that, when there is an emergency situation like the one here, its crew does not know what to expect until they arrive at the site," Scrivener wrote. "The crew attends as a unit even though every member may not be required at all times. It also says that the crew does not decide whether a customer would be billed for their work."
Because a repair was completed and Szczepanski admitted he was at fault, the tribunal determined the onus was on him to prove he was overcharged. Scrivener said he failed to provide evidence that the repair should have taken less time – or that the crew "deliberately slowed down on the job in order to gain the benefit of additional overtime pay."
He was ordered to pay the full repair bill, plus $175 in tribunal fees and $36 in pre-judgment interest, for a total of $3,429.
FortisBC asks that people check in before doing yard work – anything from building a deck to "even just planting a few perennials" – by calling the BC 1 Call hotline at 1-800-474-6886.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.