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Torts
Negligence
Negligent Installation

State Farm General Insurance Company vs. American Plumbing, Inc., and DOES 1-30, Inclusive

Published: Mar. 15, 2024 | Result Date: Oct. 9, 2023 | Filing Date: Jan. 5, 2022 |

Case number: 30-2022-01239334-CU-PO-CJC Verdict –  Defense

Court

Orange County Superior Court


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Michael F. Long
(Watkins & Letofsky, LLP) State Farm General Insurance Company


Defendant

Michael Scott Eisenbaum
(Gray Duffy LLP) American Plumbing, Inc.


Facts

State Farm alleged American Plumbing's installation of a water heater in a Laguna Beach residential property caused a fire resulting in $1,885,000 of damage.

Settlement Discussions

Prior to trial, Plaintiff's final demand was $1,000,000; Defendant's highest offer was $100,000.

Result

Jury returned a unanimous verdict in under two hours finding that American Plumbing was not negligent in its installation of the water heater nor did its installation cause the fire.

Other Information

Defendant was awarded costs in the amount of $116,428 per CCP Section 998.

Deliberation

Two hours

Poll

10-2 on negligence/Unanimous as to no causation.

Length

9 days


#142238

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