St. Mary, Franklin join in proposed class-action suit over old telecom cables

St. Mary Parish and the cities of Franklin and New Iberia are plaintiffs in a proposed class action lawsuit against two telecom companies over alleged failure to remove lead-lined telecommunications cables.

Attorneys with the Burns Charest law firm of New Orleans office have filed a proposed class action lawsuit against AT&T and Lumen Technologies in 16th Judicial District Court in Franklin.

The litigation filed on behalf of the local governments and affected individuals claims that the companies have known for years about potential health risks from the deteriorating cables, the law firm said.

The lawsuit seeks damages for trespass and negligence against the defendants, claiming that the known health risks “will continue until the cables are removed, the contamination is stopped, and the properties are restored to their original, uncontaminated condition.”

Korey Nelson and Amanda Klevorn of Burns Charest represent the plaintiffs, along with attorneys Barry Sallinger of Lafayette and Robert C. Vines of New Iberia.