WORCESTER, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- The city of Worcester isn't disputing that they caused a sewage back-up for one single mom and her disabled son, but they still haven't reimbursed the woman for the damages.
A single mom and her disabled son have sewage resting in the grout of her tile bathroom floors. Isabel Rivera worked for her house and made it a reality through the generous work of Habitat for Humanity. However, the house, and everything in it, was ruined by a sewage issue.
Despite an enormous amount of bleach, Rivera says there's still excrement stuck under the tiles, which were never removed, along with bugs that have now moved in.
"It happened so fast, it just kept coming up," she said.
This comes after Worcester water department workers were trying to fix a sewer blockage on a nearby street back in June, but it backed up and burst through Rivera's toilet. The floors of her entire home were filled with sewage, about an inch and a half deep.
Everything had to be thrown out.
Rivera and her son were able to stay at a hotel for about a month, but her mentally and physically disabled son wasn't allowed to be left alone there, which kept Rivera from going to work. She and her son are back home, sleeping on air mattresses. There are pieces of dry wall ripped out and electrical work exposed. They even have to walk on the tips of their toes on the concrete ground, because the hardwood floors had to be thrown out.
Rivera's son Dionedy Torres said people shouldn't have to live in those conditions and he "can't sleep well in the night and the room's smelly."
Rivera says the city made the mess, so they should pay for both the clean-up and related expenses. In mid-July, Rivera and her attorney filed a 106 page claim that includes photos and receipts for furniture, food, and lost wages. They're seeking $100,000 from Worcester, but so far the city hasn't sent a check. They're asking for documentation, but Rivera and her attorney say they don't know what further documentation or proof the city could possibly need.
Attorney Brian Foley said, "I would invite anyone from the city solicitor's office or city hall to come over here and have a meal with Ms. Rivera and her family in an un-sanitized environment or better yet, sleep over."
Late Thursday, Fox 25's Heather Hegedus tracked down the city's deputy solicitor and asked him what was holding up the process. He said the city has a responsibility to make sure taxpayer's money is used exactly for the right reasons, and there were a few red flags with Rivera's documents that are slowing down her reimbursement.
The city has offered to bring their own cleaning people in, but so far Rivera and her attorney have said no because they want the city to sit down with them and put together a cumulative settlement that includes things like loss of wages and covers the big picture. When asked how long the reimbursement process should take, the city said a few weeks. So far, Rivera has been waiting since June 22. The city says they don't have a new timetable on how long it could take for Rivera because they say her lack of documentation and in some cases proof for things that they should not be held responsible for, is holding up her claim.
Cox Media Group
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