Iowa Woman Considering Legal Action After Stepping Into Unsecured Manhole

Photo: Dan Reynolds Photography / Moment / Getty Images

(Des Moines, IA) -- A Des Moines woman is considering legal action after she stepped into an unsecured maintenance cover in a downtown construction area, injuring her leg.

Shelley Renes tells WHO 13 TV that she was walking on the sidewalk near Grand Avenue and 18th Street last week when she stepped onto what she thought was a manhole, which had no visible warnings, when one of her legs fell into it leaving her with a sprained knee and wrist.

Renes says the construction crew told her it was a MidAmerican Energy owned maintenance cover.

MidAmerican Energy issued a statement says they are looking into how the cover was installed and how the accident could have happened.

They say this appears to be an isolated issue, and don't believe that there is a systemic problem with other similar covers.

They say a third-party contractor has since addressed the issue to ensure this location is safe for those who use the sidewalk.

Renes is currently recovering and working with her legal team to figure out her next move.


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