CONSTRUCTION DEFECT

MARTIN CIRCUIT COURT

A plumbing contracting that installed plumbing at a large new home in Palm City was found not liable for extensive water damage after one of the toilets' water lines ruptured.

In 2014, Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange paid $192,000 to the homeowners for the damage, which included the ceilings and walls of several bedrooms, which had to be replaced. As subrogee of the homeowners, the insurer sued Aqua Dimensions Plumbing Services Inc., alleging a worker overtightened a plastic wingnut on a second-floor toilet, leading to the rupture.

The contractor argued the experienced plumber would not have made such an error, and other contractors had been in the house after the leak. The jury found the contractor not liable.

Case: Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange v. Aqua Dimensions Plumbing Services

Case No.: 432016CA000090CAAXMX

Plaintiffs attorneys: Robert G. May and David B. McClelland, Groelle & Salmon, Tampa

Defense attorney: Matthew A. Fiorello, Peterson Bernard, West Palm Beach