By Eric Heinz
Recently, a class-action lawsuit was filed in California Superior Court by San Clemente residents against a contractor responsible for constructing and installing copper piping in Talega Homes.
According to Orange County Superior Court documents, Standard Pacific Homes installed the copper piping and the complainants claim the contractor knew the pipes were not long-lasting.
Damages are being sought for “the loss of pipe for the damages of those who have already re-piped and other consequential damages to drywall, framing and the interior of the premises as well as other damages,” said Richard Bridgford, who is representing the complainants.
Bidgford is working with his partner Mike Artinian, of Bridgford, Gleason and Artinian, Law Firm.
“The reality is, for purposes of a quote the cost of the re-pipe in the past has been about $15,000 and could be more in the future,” Bridgford said. “We’ve received numerous complaints.”
The suit could affect 600 to 650 homes from Standard Pacific Homes. There are more than 3,000 homes and other buildings that could be affected by copper piping in Talega, Bridgford said.
“The bottom line is weakened copper pipes have existed for decades,” Bridgford said. “Unfortunately, in this state there’s a statute of limitations and many of the homeowners are left without a remedy because they complained and it’s not been taken care of.”
Bridgford said the only way for his clients now to recoup damages is to file the class-action lawsuit.
Although a lawsuit has been filed, Standard Pacific Homes wrote to San Clemente Times with an email that they have not been served with the complaint at this time.
“Standard Pacific Homes is aware that a homeowner in Talega filed a purported class action lawsuit against it related to copper pipes. We have not yet been formally served,” Daniel Tocco, Standard Pacific Homes director of communications, wrote in an email. “We encourage all our homeowners to contact us whenever they have a problem or concern with their home, and we respond to all service requests. Standard Pacific Homes did not receive a single complaint or service request from the homeowner who filed the class action lawsuit related to the home’s copper pipes prior to the lawsuit being filed.”
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