Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Con Ed's sued by woman scarred by manhole cover
NY Daily News ^ | 7-22-05 | Helen Peterson

Posted on 07/22/2005 9:04:22 AM PDT by Rakkasan1

A WOMAN WHO was branded with part of Con Edison's logo after falling onto a burning hot Manhattan manhole cover is suing the utility. A lawsuit filed yesterday in Manhattan Supreme Court accuses Con Ed of allowing the manhole cover at E. 13th St. and Second Ave., to become excessively hot through a buildup of steam under it.

Elizabeth Wallenberg, 27, suffered "excruciating pain, disability and grotesque cosmetic disfigurement," according to the suit, which seeks unspecified damages.

The fall left Wallenberg with a "C" and "O" and part of the manhole grid burned onto her back, just above the buttocks, and with burns on her arm.

"It literally looked like a brand that had been applied by someone," said her attorney, Ronald Berman.

He said the insignia has since faded, and outline of the manhole grid has blurred.

But the incident will leave her with discolored skin on her back and arm for the rest of her life, he added. "There is nothing the doctors can do," Berman said.

Wallenberg, who was skateboarding when she fell, is now a factory worker in Portland, Ore., Berman said.

A Con Ed spokesman declined comment.Helen Peterson

(Excerpt) Read more at nydailynews.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; US: New York
KEYWORDS: abuse; brand; burn; butt; coned; fanny; lawsuit; manhole; tattoo
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-67 next last
with the Con-Ed brand on her arse, now she can get paid to advertise
1 posted on 07/22/2005 9:04:24 AM PDT by Rakkasan1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Rakkasan1

Boston Globes article here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1448296/posts


2 posted on 07/22/2005 9:06:36 AM PDT by tfecw (Vote Democrat, It's easier than working)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Rakkasan1

I suppose photos are out of the question.


3 posted on 07/22/2005 9:07:15 AM PDT by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

What is a manole cover? Is it dangerous?


4 posted on 07/22/2005 9:07:56 AM PDT by mlc9852
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Rakkasan1
Wallenberg, who was skateboarding when she fell...

Probably in illegal activity.

5 posted on 07/22/2005 9:09:23 AM PDT by Wolfie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

She must be either very hefty or frighteningly thin if she managed to burn the small of her back on a completely flat surface.


6 posted on 07/22/2005 9:09:38 AM PDT by wideawake (God bless our brave troops and their Commander in Chief)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: areafiftyone

This is just too good -- branded!


7 posted on 07/22/2005 9:10:01 AM PDT by CedarDave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Rakkasan1

I saw this on New York FOX news.

She FELL OFF A SKATEBOARD. Two thoughts:
Why was she riding a skateboard on the street?
And, people pay good money to have designs like that put on their butts.


8 posted on 07/22/2005 9:11:16 AM PDT by radar101
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Wolfie
Probably in illegal activity.

Okay, regardless if this was an illegal activity or not, there is no reason a manhole cover in the middle of the street should be SO hot that it seared her skin and branded her.

What if a kid's ball had rolled into the street and the kid went to pick it up and the same thing happened? Would you still be blaming the person injured?

9 posted on 07/22/2005 9:11:23 AM PDT by Bluegrass Conservative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: mlc9852

something they have a shortage of in EuroFrisco?


10 posted on 07/22/2005 9:13:23 AM PDT by Rakkasan1 (If at first you don't succeed, failure may be your thing.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Rakkasan1

I'd heard stories in the past about how manhole covers in NYC would fly several feet into the air when gas built up in the sewers exploded, but I'd never heard of them branding anyone. The ones down here in Florida do get awfully hot just from sitting in the sun, though. I've picked up my share of them.


11 posted on 07/22/2005 9:13:56 AM PDT by CFC__VRWC ("Anytime a liberal squeals in outrage, an angel gets its wings!" - gidget7)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mlc9852

It's dangerous if it's steaming hot, and you touch it. It's also dangerous if it falls on your head.

12 posted on 07/22/2005 9:14:03 AM PDT by coloradan (Hence, etc.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Rakkasan1

Why is a manhole cover round?


13 posted on 07/22/2005 9:15:48 AM PDT by Young Werther
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Rakkasan1

Why is a manhole cover round?


14 posted on 07/22/2005 9:15:50 AM PDT by Young Werther
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: coloradan

Oh, it's supposed to be manhole cover. I see.


15 posted on 07/22/2005 9:16:19 AM PDT by mlc9852
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Rakkasan1

A hot manhole cover is only part of this utility's problems. Every year there are a number of cases in which people and/or their pets are injured or even killed by errant electrical currents from Con Edison electrical hardware underneath the sidewalks in New York City.


16 posted on 07/22/2005 9:17:07 AM PDT by Alberta's Child (I ain't got a dime, but what I got is mine. I ain't rich, but Lord I'm free.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Young Werther

It's round so it won't fall into the hole by accident, or on prurpose - no matter how hard anyone tries. Other shapes can be turned to fit into a hole, but a circle can't.

Don't ask me how I know this. It's the Ed Norton in me.


17 posted on 07/22/2005 9:17:46 AM PDT by HitmanLV
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: coloradan
People pay good money for stuff like this.


18 posted on 07/22/2005 9:17:48 AM PDT by July 4th (A vacant lot cancelled out my vote for Bush.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Rakkasan1

If life was a Silver Age Marvel Comic, the city would have a new villain on its hands!!!!


19 posted on 07/22/2005 9:18:24 AM PDT by HitmanLV
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Young Werther
Why is a manhole cover round?

If it were any other shape, it could potentially be lifted out of place, rotated on its edge, and dropped into the hole.

A circular cover by definition can't fit into the hole it covers.

20 posted on 07/22/2005 9:18:41 AM PDT by Alberta's Child (I ain't got a dime, but what I got is mine. I ain't rich, but Lord I'm free.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-67 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson