Home Fire Caused by a Contractor

**ocelott** · 04-01-2006, 02:44 PM

We had a new heat and air system installed in our home on a Sat.
After they left, the breaker popped. I reset it and went back to work (thank God I was working from home that night).

The breaker popped again and I called the service company. They said reset it and I did. To make a long story short..

They wired the new system wrong that started a fire in our attic.
We did not lose our entire house but it has been a month and a half and I am still living in a rental house.

My ins. company has been great with covering everything.

My problem is that they do not cover lost wages and some other things. I sent a registered letter to the company asking for the installation costs, profits they made on the system and lost wages.

What was the final straw for me was the fact that I just made my first payment on the new heat and air system. GGrrrrr

I have been told that I really do not have a case.

I am fighting it the only way I know how. I created a web site to tell my story with pictures and copies of the documentation of the events.

One of my concernes is that I will get sued for telling the truth on my web site.

Here is the site..

http://www.acfromhell.com

What are your thoughts?

Any imput would be appreciated.

Thanks

Eric

**Mr. Knowitall** · 04-01-2006, 04:53 PM

Quoting ocelott

I have been told that I really do not have a case.

Who told you that? And did they mean "you don't really have a case because you won't be able to collect much beyond what the insurance company has paid" (assuming application of a "collateral source rule"), or did they say that you actually would not be able to establish negligence? And if it is the latter, what is their reasoning?

**ocelott** · 04-01-2006, 07:10 PM

I spoke with 3 local attorneys, they said that since no one was injured that it would be hard to prove pain and suffering. Since my insurance company is taking care of all the property damage. And after attorney costs, it would not be worth it for me to pursue a legal case.
Creating the web site is my way of making a point to the service company. I emailed the manufacture the web site address. Hoping that they would put some pressure on them to settle this.
One of my fears is that I will get legal action against me about the site.
I posted only the truth with documentation backing it up.

**lwpat** · 04-02-2006, 03:15 AM

Who do you owe on the payments for the system?

You insurance carrier should pay for full replacement. If you have consequential damages such as lost wages, loss of personal items not covered by insurance, etc. you can sue in small claims up to the limit and that is fairly easy and does not require an attorney. The company should have insurance and you can make a separate claim for your own damages and your insurance company will certainly go after them. Your agent can get you the info and you can submit directly to them. You should have insisted on a copy of their insurance before letting them in the house.