Home damaged during asbestos removal, couple claims in suit

A couple is suing over claims their home was damaged during the removal of asbestos from their roof.

Willie Bunton and Da Rine Waddell-Bunton filed a lawsuit July 11 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against McIntosh Construction LLC, Winston McIntosh, Wilson Ellis and AAR Construction Inc., citing breach of contract.

According to the complaint, the Buntons contracted McIntosh of McIntosh Construction to repair hail damage to their slate roof in July 2013. The Buntons say McIntosh contracted Ellis of AAR Construction to provide a tear-off of the tile and asbestos remediation, but the defendants failed to provide proper protection to the interior of the Buntons' home and the top floor sustained damage. The Buntons also say the roof was replaced with shingle instead of slate and the gutters were improperly placed, causing more damage to the residence.

McIntosh Construction is accused of breach of contract and Consumer Fraud Act violations, and Winston McIntosh and Wilson Ellis are accused of breach of contract, Consumer Fraud Act violations and negligence. AAR Construction is accused of Consumer Fraud Act violations.

The Buntons are seeking more than $50,000 in damages. They are being represented in the case by attorneys Andrew G. Toennies and Peter W. Gullborg of Lashley & Baer P.C. in St. Louis.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 14-L-545.