USAA sues developer, builder and contractor over improperly installed copper water line

An insurance company claims it was forced to pay its insured more than $50,000 after the insured's O'Fallon home sustained severe damages due to an improperly insulated copper water line.

United Services Automobile Association filed a lawsuit Nov. 22 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Huntington Chase Corporation, Gerstner Plumbing Company and Alberternst Construction.

In its complaint, United Services Automobile Association alleges it insured Glenn Anderson's home at 1774 Caprice Court in O'Fallon when the house sustained damages to its floors and walls. In addition, Anderson sustained damages to his fixtures, furniture and personal items in the house, according to the complaint.

Because of the damages, USAA paid Anderson $56,617.42, the suit states.

Although United States Automobile Association does not specify how the damages occurred or what the damages are, it does blame improperly installed copper water lines for causing the damages.

Huntington Chase, which developed the home, and Alberternst, which built the home, failed to properly install the copper water line within Anderson's home, failed to properly heat the copper wire, failed to protect the wire from outside elements and failed to follow architectural plans for the construction of the property, in addition to other negligent acts, the complaint says.

USAA also names Gerstner Plumbing, which was responsible for placing the plumbing in the home, as a defendant, saying it negligently failed to properly install insulation around the copper water line, failed to properly heat the copper water line, failed to protect the copper water line from the outside wall and failed to protect the line from the outside elements.

In its complaint, USAA seeks a judgment of not less than $171,352.26, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

Eric M.C. Mason of Larsen Law Firm in Chicago will be representing it.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-649.