PITTSBURGH – An insurance company is seeking more than $1 million after paying for a house fire claim.
Great Northern Insurance Co., as subrogee of Roger and Nedra Richards, filed a complaint on Feb. 2 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against Whipple-Allen Real Estate and Kidder Wachter Architecture & Design alleging negligence and breach of contract.
According to the complaint, the Richards owned and resided in a property in Erie and had an insurance policy through the plaintiff. The suit states on March 4, 2017, a fire occurred at the property and caused smoke, fire and water damage. The plaintiff alleges the fire was a result of the defendants' failure to properly install a fireplace in the property.
The plaintiff holds Whipple-Allen Real Estate and Kidder Wachter Architecture & Design responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to comply with building and safety codes and standards when constructing the fireplace.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against the defendant in an amount of more than $1 million plus interest, court costs and any further relief the court grants. It is represented by Peter G. Rossi of Cozen O'Connor in Philadelphia.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania case number 1:18-CV-41