Steve wrote:

I know I'll have to ask the cable company about their liability, but it
just seems crappy to have to put a neighbor thru the hassle if there is
a problem ruining their sprinkler lines.

A utility company is pretty much required, as part of their agreement
with the communities in which they provide service, to repair any
damage they cause during installations or repairs. If there are
complaints, that's why there are Public Utility Commissions.

About 10 years ago, got a call from the phone company. Seems
like several people in the neighborhood (not us) were having
problems with their phone lines. Hanging a TDR on the phone
wires, the phone company techs decided that the problem was
a badly done splice in the multi-line phone cable in our BACK
yard. They dug a 2ft wide by 4ft long hole about 4ft deep and
camped out in our back yard for 2 days fixing the cable.

Fixed everything up better than new when they were done.
Packed the fill dirt well so it didn't settle later. Fixed the
sprinkler line they broke. Sodded, not seeded the dirt - the
new grass looked better than the old.

If you have specific concerns, talk to the cable company.

Jerry