RH Cable, Ronnie Hayden Owner RH Cable crew trespasses on private property, causes property damage, refuses to accept responsibility Jacksonville Arkansas

RH Cable, a Jacksonville, AR construction company was sub contracted by Sudden Link Communication to remove cable from utility poles.

A RH Cable crew trespassed on private property, driving a large bucket truck around No Trespassing and Private Property signs and a locked gate on a private road to get access to a utility pole that they could have walked 30 yards to access. The crew stuck the truck in soft soil in the front yard. They placed a steel cable around a 25-30 year old tree and winched the truck out. The cable cut into the tree doing irreparable damage and the tree will likely be lost.

I contacted Ronnie Hayden, owner of RH Cable, and we agreed I would get estimates of damage from two tree services. When I presented the estimates to Mr. Hayden he refused to accept responsibility for damages caused by his crew and he stated he would turn the claim over to Farmers Insurance, his insurance carrier, and that he did not want to talk to me again. I was forced to negotiate with Farmers and after 2 1/2 months they had made an offer of $1,000 for the $4,000 claim.

Mr. Hayden's wife contacted me and said she would supplement the $1,000 offer from Farmers with $1,500 for a total settlement of $2,500. I accepted the offer and notified Farmers. Farmers agent advised me they had instructed Mr. Hayden he could not supplement their offer and I could either accept the $1,000 or file a lawsuit. I reluctantly accepted, to avoid a costly and time consumng court battle.

The same crew cut an electric fence, on a neighbors farm, to access a utility pole. The fence contained 4 horses. When they left, the wire was left down. Fortunately, the horses did not get out. The crew once again demonstrated a total lack of concern for private property.

Mr. Hayden must accept responsibility and should be held accountable for his crews inexcusable actions. Absent that, and with his current attitude, it is inconceivable that his business will survive.

Consumer
Sherwood, Arkansas
U.S.A.