When businesses are damaged by a natural disaster or even plumbing damage, it could be expensive to make repairs. That is why companies should sign up for small business insurance. This coverage protects a business both financially and legally if an accident or damage were to occur.
A faulty sewer system in Clifton, New Jersey may be the cause of the damage that occurred to an office building of a pharmaceutical company, according to The Record. Hoffman-La Roche is holding the city responsible for contaminants that have been leaking into the company’s building and causing damage to the structure. Hoffman-La Roche is seeking more than $10 million for repair costs.
La Roche noticed damage around its building and paid for an analysis of the underground sewer in April. According to The Record, the analysis found several chemical contaminants that caused pollution in the building and contractors found cracks in the foundation. La Roche ceased operations at the Clifton campus in December but is performing an environmental assessment to judge the extent of the damage.
The Record reported that this was the first the city had heard of the issue and city engineer Nick Villano said Clifton regularly does inspections for sewers that are located around high elevation. Villano went on to say that the area by La Roche had not received an inspection in the four years he had been on the job. The city is not denying the findings from La Roche but just wants to figure out what went wrong. Villano believes the problem could have occurred from construction work and heavy traffic in the areas. He said he is not sure how much a clean-up will cost.
“That’s putting the cart before the horse,” Villano told The Record. “I can’t tell you scope-wise what kind of number we’re looking at.”
