A Belleville business is suing a Carol Stream industrial firm regarding a disagreement over allegedly hazardous kitchen equipment.
Peerless Premier Appliance Co. of Belleville filed a lawsuit June 30 against RobertShaw Controls Co. in St. Clair County Circuit Court, alleging defective materials in its products that allowed methane gas to escape from oven ranges using specific nuts and valves manufactured by the defendant.
According to the filing, RobertShaw provided oven ranges to the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) for housing projects and, when the authority tested equipment it detected gas leaks. NYCHA made a complaint to Peerless based on concern for a risk of explosion, the suit says, and Peerless was forced to return at least 1,600 affected ranges to its factory for a solution.
The suit says that Peerless informed the defendant’s representative, Wayne Jensen, of the leakage issues in March 2012 and was told the engineering team would examine the problem but RobertShaw was allegedly unable to remedy the defect. A RobertShaw director admitted to the gas leaks April 28, 2012, but denied Peerless’ claim for damages or reimbursement for replacement costs, the lawsuit states.
The suit alleges RobertShaw knew or should have known of the problem and was in breach of warranties under the Uniform Commercial Code.
Peerless Premier Appliance seeks judgment for actual, consequential, and punitive damages in excess of $300,000, plus attorney fees and costs. The company is represented by attorneys Donald Schoemaker and Megha Shah of Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale in Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-381.