Highland couple claims legal malpractice in sewer back-up case

A Highland couple has filed suit against the attorneys they claim failed to file a complaint following a sewer back-up into their basement.

Alberto Friedmann and Karla Oestringer filed suit June 24 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Todd Gordon and Maria Sachez-Ley of Collinsville.

According to the complaint, the plaintiffs were living at 1508 Lemon Street in Madison County when they hired the defendant attorneys to represent them in a lawsuit they planned to file against Highland.

The plaintiffs were distraught over sewer that had backed up into their home April 29, 2012, and concluded Highland had been negligent in constructing and maintaining their home’s sewer system, the current complaint states.

Although the plaintiffs paid Gordon $500, plus a $219 filing fee, Gordon allegedly failed to file the lawsuit, the current suit states.

The plaintiffs seek a judgment sufficient to reimburse them for their losses, plus court costs and other relief the court deems just. They are being represented by John Turner of Belleville.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 14-L-906.