Lawton Council Denies $98,599 Sewage Claim: What Homeowners Should Know About Sewer Lines

The Lawton City Council voted 7-0 this week to deny a $98,599 damage claim tied to a May 10 sewage backup at 4831 SE Tattershall Way. Shawn Donley, whose mother Helen Donley owns the home, told the council the overflow damaged the interior and destroyed furniture. The claim covered roughly $20,293 in personal property, $69,247 in repairs, hotel costs, and $9,055 for a new sewer service line.

City records tell a different story. Staff found no calls about the address on May 10, and when crews responded May 18, they flushed the sewer main and found no blockage blocking flow. State environmental officials later determined the home’s service line was the source of the problem. Donley told the council he replaced that line himself, and a July camera inspection found rubber joints causing an offset in the pipe. No city permit or inspection was ever issued for the work.

The council’s unanimous vote closes this claim, but it opens a bigger question for every homeowner in Lawton: where does your responsibility begin? The city’s main is one thing, the service line from your home to that main is another, and most basic homeowners policies don’t cover sewer backups unless you specifically add that coverage. If you’re not sure about yours, a quick call to your insurance agent and a look at your policy could be the most valuable five minutes of your week.

Have you checked whether your homeowners insurance covers sewer backups? Let us know in the comments.