EDWARDSVILLE – Granite City homeowners claim they sold a home that was infested with termites, and the resulting damage was not disclosed.
Plaintiffs Justin and Michelle Phillips filed the lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against Jim Terziovski and Bi-State Termite and Pest Control, Inc., citing breach of contract, fraudulent misrepresentation and negligence.
According to the lawsuit, on Feb. 11, 2022, the plaintiffs entered into a contract to purchase a Granite City home from Terziovski, which included a property disclosure report. In the report, Terziovski represented that he was unaware of any property defects. On Feb. 16, 2022, Bi-State Termite and Pest Control conducted an inspection and recommended a proposal to treat for termites.
The plaintiffs state that after receiving Bi-State's report, they requested that Terziovski hire Bi-state to treat the house and garage for termites. The plaintiffs then bought the house on March 15, 2022, after they were notified that Bi-State had performed termite treatment.
Shortly after moving into the resident, the plaintiffs allegedly noticed extensive termite damage throughout the home.
The lawsuit states that Terziovski should have been aware of the extent and nature of the termite damage through the house, but failed to notify the plaintiffs. They add that Bi-State should have discovered the termite damage in their inspection and treatment, but failed to disclose this information to the plaintiffs.
The plaintiffs claims that had they been aware of the presence of termite damage throughout the residence, they would have exercised their right to terminate the contract to purchase the home. The plaintiffs claim they have incurred and are continuing to incur substantial costs to repair the home.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus interest, court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. They are represented in this case by Matthew B. Champlin and Emilee M. Bramstedt of HeplerBroom LLC in Edwardsville.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 2023LA000183