Can I sue the gas company for neglience?

by Jacki
(Boston, MA)

I had my gas meter replaced by the gas company today. The technician came in, went into the basement then came back up to the kitchen to fumble with the stove. He left after about 15 minutes.

I left my house shortly afterwards. Later that day I returned home, went into my kitchen (for the fist time since the technician had been in there) and slipped and fell on oil. I had a skillet on the stove that contained vegetable oil. I used it for frying pork chops the previous night.

I'm assuming the technician spilled the skillet while fumbling with the stove. I called an ambulance because I couldn't standup after the fall. I wanted to make sure I didn't break anything. Thank goodness I didn't, however I am in agony.

I wish the technician had made me aware of his accident. I find him to be negligent for my pain and suffering. The doctor demanded that I stay home from school and work for two days. Do I have a case?

Disclaimer: Information provided in your response is not formal legal advice, it is generic legal information and is based on the very limited information given in your question. You should always get a formal case evaluation from a licensed attorney.

ANSWER for "Can I sue the gas company for neglience?":

Jacki (Boston, MA):

You don't have much of a case. Your injuries are minor, and your lost wages amount to not more than two days. If you want to go through the process of filing a claim you can begin by contacting the gas company. You will be put through a claims process. Once you file a claim a representative of the gas company will in all likelihood contact you for your statement. Cooperating is the best thing you can do.

Quite honestly the chances of the gas company paying you any money are slim. For them to do so you would have to present them with more evidence than you present in the facts in your question.

Too many people these days think if they are even slightly injured and the injury was perpetrated by a large company or corporation, or one of its employees, that they just hit the personal injury "Jackpot". It doesn't work that way.

Large companies seldom pay claims unless they are substantiated by facts and not supposition. Regrettably your claim is supposition. That is, you don't know for sure that the gas employee spilled the oil. You are supposing he did. Regrettably for you, that's not going to be enough.

Since laws change frequently and across jurisdictions you should get a personalized case evaluation from an attorney licensed in your state (if you haven't already). Find an experienced local attorney to give you a FREE personalized case review here.

Best of luck,

Law Guy

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