EDWARDSVILLE – A Wood River man claims his home developed a buildup of black mold after a restoration company failed to complete repairs from water damage.
Plaintiff Neil A. Custer filed the lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against Wolfe Restoration, Inc doing business as Servpro of Alton, Edwardsville & Granite City, and Servpro Industries, Inc., citing negligence, fraud and breach of contract
According to the lawsuit, Custer's home was severely damaged on Feb. 15, 2021, due to a ruptured water line. Custer allegedly reported the claim to State Farm insurance, which entered into an agreement with Wolfe Restoration to provide clean up and restoration services at the plaintiff's property.
Custer claims Wolfe Restoration came to the property but failed to remove wet insulation and other water damaged items necessary to avoid mold growth, a fact the plaintiff pointed out to the Wolfe. Wolfe allegedly terminated its contract with the plaintiff rather than remove the wet materials and left the job incomplete in an unworkmanlike manner. The plaintiff alleges that since Wolfe left the job incomplete, the property has developed a buildup of black mold, increasing the cost of repair to more than $27,000.
The plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus interest, court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. He is represented in this case by attorneys Brian M. Wendler and Angie M. Zinzilieta of Wendler & Zinzilieta, P.C. in Maryville.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 2023LA000199