Homeowner files suit against two construction companies for allegedly inadequate work

NEW ORLEANS – A homeowner filed suit against two construction companies for allegedly inadequate work they did on her home in Harvey, La.

Martha Hawkins filed suit against Brimmer Construction Services LLC, Wautashi Construction Inc. and their insurance companies in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on Aug. 1.

The plaintiff alleges in September 2012 it was discovered inadequate work had been performed on her property on Whipple Tree Drive in Harvey. Wautashi Construction was hired to elevate plaintiff’s property, and it subcontracted with Brimmer Construction, the claim states. A subsequent engineer’s report revealed that there were not enough piers to sustain the building when it was elevated by the contractor, along the load-bearing walls the floor had settled a half inch, and water build up from the sloping garage spread into the living room and onto the carpet, because the carpets were not removed, as they should have been, the suit claims.

According to the complaint, Wautashi Construction indicated it would visit the plaintiff’s property in order to inspect any alleged deficiencies, but this visit never took place.

The defendants are accused of breach of contractual obligation, failure to exercise due and necessary caution care under the circumstances, and being reckless and grossly negligent.

The plaintiff seeks an unspecified amount in damages.

The plaintiff is represented by Pius A. Obioha of Law Offices of Pius A. Obioha & Associates LLC of New Orleans.

The case has been assigned to Division J Judge Paula A. Brown.

Case no. 2013-07243.