AIG Property Casualty, which insured Wendy and Lawrence Nadel, brought a subrogation action arising out of a fire at the Nadels' home in 2017. The fire happened in a new fireplace installed as part of home renovations that took place during 2014 and 2015.

Third-party defendant Michael Dalton was hired to be the architect and design plans for the renovations. Defendants JB Construction Concepts, SN Construction, and All American Chimney Sweep argued that Dalton controlled the installation and design of the fireplace, while Dalton and plaintiff claimed that he only offered aesthetic opinions.