Texas lawsuit by seller - InspectionNews

John Brown · #1 (**permalink**) 09-24-2009, 02:51 PM

Of possible interest, out of Houston Texas. Seller is suing inspector for killing the deal on a little 3-2 ranch. Looking for punitive damages: .75 mil $.

Clerk of Harris County there generously allows for free viewing of relevant documents.

If you've got some time and are curious, go here first:

Office of Harris County District Clerk - Loren Jackson | Search Our Records

In the Search field for case number, submit 200940162

Then click on Documents.

Case is Maze v. FIG.

You can view documents for free but have pay for copies.

Note: poster is referencing readily available public information only and has no personal knowledge or opinion of the case.

Raymond Wand · #2 (**permalink**) 09-24-2009, 05:37 PM

Thanks John, quite an interesting read. I noticed many comments that the inspector is not a licenced engineer. Most of the comments which this comment applied to seem to be nonsense. They even applied that statement where the inspector indicated caulking was required. I didn't know you had to be an engineer in order to make recommendations which would be considered maintenance, or common sense.

Matt Fellman · #3 (**permalink**) 09-24-2009, 08:59 PM

With crap like this there's no right/wrong, black/white, up/down or any other logic. The only ones who win are the attorneys. Motions, filings, pleadings, bs, bs, bs.

Unfortunately, the best thing you can do when you're in the middle of something like this is to buy your way out.

Maybe we should make a list of all the dead lawyer jokes we've heard and send them to the defendant to give him a laugh. Stuff like this just sucks...

wayne soper · #4 (**permalink**) 09-24-2009, 09:16 PM

Mabey we should all set up a counter suit program to sue all the homeowners who do not disclose information truthfully to us at inspections through their disclosures.

Nolan Kienitz · #5 (**permalink**) 09-24-2009, 10:33 PM

FYI -

Seller is an attorney

Duane Morris LLP - Gary R. Maze, P.C., Partner - Profile

It also appears that his wife has filed a lawsuit against her employer in Houston ... assuming that the names synch up with the right person.

Maybe that is what both of them do for income ... file lawsuits. According to Harris County tax roles they own two if not more houses.

Ought to be interesting.

Rick Hurst · #6 (**permalink**) 09-25-2009, 01:12 AM

After reading the HI report, the home looks like the typical attorneys home I've seen in the past.

I'm sure the comments on the drainage section of the report are placed on other HI reports nationwide on a daily basis. We're all doomed.

I also like how attorneys always places that phrase of "Prayer" in their documents. They "pray" the Defendant does this and that.

When did scumbags learn to have prayer?

rick

Gary Burnett · #7 (**permalink**) 09-25-2009, 05:56 PM

Rick,

I think that was a typo in the original document. I belive the actual word is "Prey".
I think this poor dude should have the support of every licensed inspector in the state + TREC attorneys (as much as A.D. thinks they are a bunch of morons). I hope these guys are countersued with a frivolous suit with treble damages.
All that said, I hope he did a good job on the report.

Raymond Wand · #8 (**permalink**) 09-25-2009, 06:02 PM

Maybe lawyers should be home inspectors.

Don't ya just hate know-it-alls? Its easy to second guess, it all boils down really to which lawyer does a better job selling the facts to the trier of fact.

Personal opinion I don't think the plaintiff will succeed.

Frank Bombardiere · #9 (**permalink**) 09-25-2009, 08:39 PM

I actualy had an inspector comrad that was a lawyer then became a home inspector. He did quite well for a while, but got sued several times and went back to lawyering.

This crap is why I have the statement below my signature, see below.

Richard Stanley · #10 (**permalink**) 09-28-2009, 05:30 PM

Attorneys are, by law, oficers of the court. This, clearly, is harrasment and an abuse of their legal station. They should be severely sanctioned if not disbarred. Go Gordon.

John Brown · #11 (**permalink**) 09-29-2009, 12:33 PM

Seller-lawyer has now hired a lawyer so now the meter is running for him too.

There is much more action over at Nacho world:

Houston Inspection Lawsuit - Page 4 - InterNACHI Message Board