PHILADELPHIA – An insurance company alleges a defective jump start unit caused a fire at a Chester Springs property.
Allstate Insurance Co., as subrogee of Michael and Rachel Breen, filed a complaint on March 5 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Surge Products LLC and The Pep Boys - Manny, Moe & Jack alleging strict liability, negligence and other counts.
According to the complaint, on Feb. 2, 2017, the Breens were operating a jump start unit manufactured by Surge and sold by Pep Boys and a fire erupted as a result of the unit malfunctioning. The suit states the fire caused extensive damage to the Breen property, which was insured by the plaintiff.
The plaintiff holds Surge Products LLC and The Pep Boys - Manny, Moe & Jack responsible because the defendants allegedly sold or distributed the unit in a defective condition.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against the defendants in the amount of $878,800 plus court costs, delay damages, and any further relief the court grants. It is represented by Kevin M. McBeth of de Luca Levine LLC in Blue Bell.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania case number 2:18-cv-00978-RK