Demolition company sued by insurer for allegedly damaging neighboring commercial property during teardown

GRETNA – The property insurer for the owners of a commercial building in Metairie is suing owners of an adjoining property claiming demolition of that property caused severe damage to a shared wall.

Certain Underwriters at Lloyds of London filed suit against Ackel Brothers Inc., Pipeworks Plumbing & Demolition LLC and Scottsdale Insurance Co. in the 24th Judicial District Court on Feb. 26.

Lloyds of London contends it provided property insurance to a commercial building owned by Person Holdings LLC located 3200 Lake Villa Drive in Metairie that shared a common wall with a commercial property owned by Ackel Brothers located at 3202 Lake Villa.

The plaintiff alleges that when Pipeworks Plumbing & Demolition demolished the property owned by Ackel Brothers Inc. it damaged the common wall, creating holes and fractures in it that were never repaired and resulted in water damage to the interior of the Person Holdings property after heavy rains. Due to the water damage Lloyds of London claims it has paid Person Holdings LLC $37,918.73 and are now seeking reimbursement from the defendants.

The defendants are accused of failing to properly perform work, lack of appropriate expertise, breach of express warranty and failing to comply with industry standards.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for cost to remediate and repair the building, replacement costs for the building contents, reduction of property value, cleaning costs, loss of use of building, lost income, all professional fees and extra expenses incurred during the repair period.

The plaintiff is represented by Jason R. Bonnet of New Orleans-based Leake & Anderson LLP.

The case has been assigned to Division M Judge Henry G. Sullivan Jr.

Case no. 747-184.