3/8 plastic ftg went south

jp_2

boy so many question.

how could a faucet cause $119,000 damage?

they never noticed a leak until it caused $119,000 damage?

if not why did they not call you back asap when they knew of the leak?

how can they prove you did the over tightening and not the homeowner or someone else?

this is a great example of how this country is going to pot!

Dan Healey

failed fitting

nearly 5 yrs ago i installed a Franke kitchen faucet.
last week i was notified that the homeowners insurance co. has amended their suit to include myself
Apparently a plastic mip/fip fitting cracked resulting in $119,000 in damages...Every plumber hates these Damn fittings and uses "kit gloves" .I personally installed this fct. and would never use a joint compound that would cause the fitting to later fail.. the Insurance co alledges i over tightened it possibly causing its failure this summer
2 yrs ago i folded in the tent flaps,,so there is no insurace coverage for myself any longer.. and worst of all i never seperated my business from my personal assets.
any advice is greatly apprecited

Brad White_203

jp makes some really good points as usual...

Thought along those same lines, that much damage and your work was five years ago?

Not sure what state you are in but most states have a "Statute of Repose", (sort of analogous to a statute of limitations in a very general sense), a period within which defects would normally come to light and usually beyond a warranty period. (Edit: As nbc said below, the coverage is usually "per incident" and covers work done at that time; he said it much better.)

Here in MA, on the design side of things, it is six years, as one example.

Now, your insurance- if E&O (errors and omissions) or liability, I would check your policy to see if a claim has to be brought via certain channels and if the policy may in fact cover you to beyond the Statute of Repose, if any.

A good lawyer, I hate to say it, will be an asset. The insurance company is doing all it can so it does not have to pay. How they prove anything is beyond me but the process itself is enough. I wish you good luck!

nicholas bonham-carter

liability?

many homeowners ins. policies will cover you against lawsuits.
in addition, the insurance company you were insured with AT THAT TIME should still provide coverage, as you bought protection for work done in that calendar year.
unfortunately a visit with a lawyer may also be necessary.
nbc

Paul Pollets

Liability

Your contractor's liability policy in place at the time of damages should provide coverage, depending upon the coverage you bought, and any exclusions of the policy. The statute of limitations will depend upon your policy and State.

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