A family was awarded $2 million after experiencing sickness due to a leaky natural gas pipe.
Soon after a family of 5 moved into a new apartment complex, they all began experiencing unexplained symptoms of headaches, nose bleeds, loss of appetite, bronchial problems, and vomiting.
Eight months after the moving in, it was discovered that during construction, a siding nail had penetrated a natural gas pipe in the wall of the closet in the primary bedroom. The family sued the general contractor, the siding and plumbing contractors and the apartment complex. A global settlement of $2,000,000.00 was reached.
According to the family’s council Bert Louthian, the youngest child, age 2, had the most severe symptoms because the child spent the most time in the apartment and slept closest to the location of the gas leak.
Once the leak was discovered and repaired each family members health slowly improved. Neither parent sought medical treatment and the 3 children collectively had $11,000.00 in medical bills. According to Louthian, Doctors Hoffman, White and Osbon, toxicology and environmental health experts were instrumental in creating a damages model based on the need for medical testing and monitoring for the family moving forward.
Is this a verdict or a settlement? Settlement
Type of case natural gas exposure
Amount: 2,000,000.00
Injuries alleged: headaches, nose bleeds, numbness in hands and feet, loss of appetite, coughing, cold and flu like symptoms and vomiting
Case name: withheld
Court: [or venue if settled pre-suit]:withheld
Case No.: withheld
Judge [or arbitrator or mediator]: Karl Folkens
Date of verdict or settlement: June 29, 2022
Most helpful experts [if applicable]: Warren Maddox, Maddox Engineering; Dr. Ben Hoffman, Toxicology & Environmental Health; Dr. Marshall White, Neurology; Dr. Tim Osbon, Life Care Plan
Insurance carrier [if applicable]: Withheld
Attorney(s) for plaintiff and their firm(s): Bert Louthian, Robert Goings
Attorney(s) for defendant and their firm(s): Withheld
Was the opposing represented by counsel? Yes
Were liability and/or damages contested? Yes
Has the judgment been successfully collected? Yes
The post Gas leak nets $2M settlement for family after falling ill 
first appeared on South Carolina Lawyers Weekly.