Woman Sues Over Manhole Cover Burns

Given that there are manhole fires from time to time—and that many times steam can be seen rising from them—it's no surprise to learn they can leave burns. And now a Bronx woman is suing Con Ed for burns she suffered in 2006. According to the Daily News, "Melissa Mann was crossing Allen St. on the lower East Side on Sept. 5, 2006, when she was hit by a delivery van...She flew through the air and landed on a manhole cover, which burned her instantly, according to a lawsuit filed in Bronx Supreme Court this week." Yikes. Her lawyer said his client has permanent scarring, not to mention seizures, and walks with a cane, "For the temperature of that cap to be so hot that it caused scalding burns to the touch is not right. It poses a danger to citizens walking on the street not to mention any animals walking on the street." Mann is seeking "an award for medical services, lost wages and pain and suffering." Five years ago, a woman got a "manhole tattoo" on her back when she fell (while skateboarding in the East Village) on a manhole. Manhole coasters, from the NYC City Store

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By Jen Chung in News on September 3, 2009 1:45 PM

Comments [rss]

inoyourider

PAY ME!!!!

WesTheYeTi

I thought the Lower East Side wasn't hip anymore, but apparently it's still HOT.

NannyState

Hot manhole in the LES? Who knew?

Nyctini11

Ummm what's wrong, the payout from the delivery truck not coming through yet??

I wouldn't normally have an issue with this, but, i DO when they wait 3 f'ing yrs to do something about it, just makes it all the more suspect.

buttface

It takes 2 or 3 years to get cases like this to trial. Sometimes longer.

JacqueMehoff

there's a few manhole covers around me that get's very hot, almost sizzling. may try some experimenting on them.

they don't look like the normal manholes, it's green and all corroded looking, probably from the steam. or, they were welded shut for security reasons.

r1b2

Um, just a thought here, is it possible the seizures and need for a cane are because SHE WAS HIT BY A VAN???? Yes, Con Ed probably has deeper pockets than the delivery company and driver, so here comes the lawsuit.

r1b2

Um, just a thought here, is it possible the seizures and need for a cane are because SHE WAS HIT BY A VAN???? Yes, Con Ed probably has deeper pockets than the delivery company and driver, so here comes the lawsuit.