Who’s Responsible for a Sewer Drain Backup?

As some homeowners may have unfortunately learned the hard way, just like sink drain pipes in your house can become clogged with hair, soap buildup, and more, your main sewer drain line can also become clogged and lead to some disastrous results. But whose responsibility is it when someone is dealing with a sewer backup – is the homeowner responsible, or is it on the municipality they live in to cover the damage?

Sanchez Bernal Dulce Rubi

Talking to Phillips Law Group was the best thing I could do, at first I had my doubts if they really spoke Spanish, but if there are people who speak Spanish and help you so humanely, I recommend that you talk to them in case of accidents, they send you to the doctor They are in charge of guiding you in absolutely everything and after everything was paid I received a monetary compensation which I did not expect and it was a great blessing

Becca N.

Very thankful for Phillip’s Law group in my time of need, they went above and beyond to make sure we were taken care of. Very special thank you to Hannah Rios for her diligence and attention! I highly recommend this firm and will do so to anyone I talk to 🖤thank you Phillips!

Julieta P.

My experience was exceptionally great. A very well organized firm, experienced and professional. Customer service was excellent and the lawyer and his team that handled my case, Tim LeDuc was the best. He was very thorough. He was always available when I had questions. All in all, I had a positive experience and I highly recommend Phillips Law Group. Thank you!

Jame J.

The best firm I hired! So patience and understanding- awesome paralegals who hand hold while I went through the hardest part of being able to take care of myself. Thank you Marlena J and Maria & Ilse and Special thanks to my attorney Donato G

Brandie I.

I worked with RuthAnn at Phillips Law and I can’t say enough good things about my experience with her!! She far exceeded my expectations and truly put my mind at ease with every aspect of my case. She is the best! If I could give her more than 5 stars I would! Thank you Phillips Law Group for handling my case the way you did and taking such great care of me. I will never forget the exceptional service and care you provided.

Matt M.

I came to Phillips law group as a very naive individual. They took me under their wing and they took great care of me. Montana is his name and he had my back when no one else did. I can't explain what a relief that was in a dark and painful time. They made sure I had all the care I needed and they made great sacrifices to ensure I came out happy. You cannot go wrong with having Philips law group represent you. I'd recommend them to my family and friends and to you strangers. Montana I'm in your debt.

View More Reviews

Sewer Backups – A Dirty Business

Every year, sewer backups cause damage to millions of households. Many homeowners may not know that they tend to be responsible for the maintenance and repair of the pipeline between their city’s sewer main and their building, and if it gets damaged or clogged, it’s financially their responsibility to remedy the issue. 

This pipeline, also called the sewer lateral, is generally owned and maintained by the property owner and is, therefore, their responsibility. 

But if the backup occurred due to a problem in the city’s sewer system, it could become their responsibility to take care of it. The city might claim there isn’t enough evidence they neglected the part of the system they maintain that caused a sewer backup on your property, which is when you might need to get sewer backup lawyers involved.

Causes of Sewer Backups

Some sources of sewer drain backup or sewage system leaks include:

• A blockage in a main sewer line
• Worn-out sewer systems that have not been properly maintained or repaired
• Tree roots
• Inadequate or aging drainage structures
• Heavy rainfall 
• …and more

When To Call a Sewer Backup Lawyer

If you’re dealing with sewage backups, flooding, leaks, and other sewer-related damages, you may need to get the assistance of lawyers specially trained in sewer backup claims – especially if you believe the damage is the fault of the city, and they’re trying to shirk responsibility. 

To determine whether it’s appropriate to take legal action to get damage to your property, health, and more from a sewage problem covered, it might be a good idea to seek help from experienced attorneys like those at Phillips Law Group.

If you suspect a sewer backup is already occurring on your property, you should take photos of any damaged items to establish proof and responsibility if legal action is necessary. You should also document any proof of potential health problems due to a sewer drain backup. 

To determine exactly what you’d need to get the city to cover the damages if they are ultimately responsible for a sewer backup on your property, contact the team at Phillips Law Group for a free, no-obligation evaluation. We have experienced attorneys available to help you get the justice you deserve. 

Sewer backups are a dirty business, but our team can help. Give us a call or fill out the form on this page to learn more.