Unique Knowledge And Experience With Sewer Backup Claims

Municipalities and private sewer companies must be vigilant in maintaining and improving the sewers and water mains it operates. If these waterways clog or have a capacity that is too low to meet demand, the sewers will backup or “surcharge”, and raw sewage and other toxic materials will literally go uphill in a sewage pipe. That sewage (known as “effluent”) will find the path of least resistance – which are almost always at the lowest possible points – and come into homes through lateral lines that connect the home to the main sewage line. Once inside the lateral line, sewage will erupt into a home through floor drains, bathroom fixtures, and even sinks and tubs. If the house has a basement, it can become a holding tank for the sewer operator, and the home is unwillingly converted into a virtual cesspool.

Noel Sevastianos of Rogers Sevastianos & Bante LLP has experience representing numerous clients through the process of resolving sewer backup and water damage claims. We understand the extreme health risks and the devastating property damage that can occur when sewers do not properly convey drainage to water treatment plants. We know that:

• Your property loses resale value when it has a history of sewer backups or water damage.
• Your home can suffer structural damage.
• Your personal property and mementos can be turned into trash.
• Your homeowners’ insurer will (at best) raise its rates or (more likely) drop your coverage making your home uninsurable.

We know the personal injuries you can sustain too, and the loss of use of your house and the practical effects these stresses have on your life. Our attorneys have extensive experience pursuing claims and negotiating settlements with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) and various municipal-owned sewer facilities in both Missouri and Illinois. Clients rely on our firm for thorough preparation and attention to detail. We are equally comfortable representing clients through negotiations as we are in a courtroom at trial.

Experienced Lawyers Handling Mold-Related Illness Cases

At Rogers Sevastianos & Bante LLP, we typically represent individual homeowners who have experienced sewer backups or water damage in their homes or businesses. These events can quickly lead to mold and mold-related illnesses such as reactive airway syndrome (RAS), asthma, headaches, vomiting, nausea and blocked sinuses. Based on the toxicity of the mold, serious conditions such as respiratory illnesses, digestive tract illnesses, reproductive illnesses, fibromyalgia or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) can occur.

Our firm will also examine your homeowners/ business owners’ insurance policy to ensure that your agent asked the appropriate questions to determine the proper coverage. For example, if you were not asked if you had a finished basement, your coverage might be inadequate to compensate you for your damages. We’ll also look at who sold you the home or business, and what representations/disclosures were made to you during the sale process. Let our firm fight for your proper compensation and your fair treatment.

Contact Us About Your Sewer Backup Claim Today

If you have questions regarding any of our practice areas, we encourage you to contact our office for a free initial consultation. Rogers Sevastianos & Bante LLP can be reached at (314) 354-8484 or through our online contact form. Our office is conveniently located across the street from the St. Louis County courthouse, and our fee structures are consistent with The Missouri Bar’s recommendations.