Video: Disorderly dumpster leaves UW student with lasting lesson

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SEATTLE - When Eric Nicholson was told a dumpster had rolled down the hill and smashed into his Jeep Cherokee, which was parked behind his University District fraternity, he thought it was a prank.

"It's the first time this has happened in the three years I've been there," he said.

The dumpster, which belongs to Waste Management, is parked in the lot behind the house. The problem is the lot is on an incline and the dumpsters have wheels.

Now he wants the company to pay his insurance deductible for the damage to his car.

"They just don't pick up and move. It takes some force to get them going," he said.

We spoke to Waste Management. They told us the dumpster was serviced by a subcontractor and they claim there was no pick-up the day of the incident. Waste Management calls it a no-fault situation.

Jim Nicholson, Eric's father, says he's out the $500 deductible and he wants it back.

"Pay the damage claim… very simple," said Jim. "It's now a claim on my insurance and they're out and I'm out."

Waste Management says often at the end of the school year, the dumpsters are filled and not secured by students leaving for the summer.

But Waste Management did make a goodwill offer by covering the Nicholson's $500 deductible.

Eric just wants to make sure this doesn't happen again.

"My concern is for dumpsters on hills in other places," he said.

Waste Management's contract with the city doesn't require wheel locks on metal containers.

The company also says it's the building owner's responsibility to make sure the containers are secure.

We're told the owners will be building some type of enclosure for the containers in the next few weeks.

If you have a consumer concern, call Jesse Jones toll-free at 866-51-JESSE or e-mail him at getjesse@king5.com.