Our client hired a general contractor and a door company to complete top-of-the-line renovations on his home, including hurricane-rated garage doors weighing more than 440 pounds each. Almost immediately after installation, signs of a problem appeared.
Our client notified the contractor and the door company multiple times, and each time they claimed the issue was fixed. It wasn’t.
One day, the garage door got stuck in its track while closing. When our client looked underneath to see why it had stopped, the door fell, striking the side of his face and crushing his shoulder. He required extensive treatment and suffered life-changing complications that needed ongoing care.
When KL notified the insurance companies of the claim, they denied it outright and didn’t offer a single dollar. We filed suit and fought the case in court. The defense blamed everyone and everything, spending tens of thousands of dollars on experts to try to defend the indefensible.
After litigating the case to the courthouse steps, it ultimately resolved for a confidential seven-figure amount.
Key Takeaways
- A massive 440-pound hurricane garage door repeatedly malfunctioned despite claims it was fixed.
- The door fell on our client, crushing his shoulder and injuring his face.
- Insurance companies denied the claim outright and offered nothing.
- KL filed suit and litigated the case all the way to the courthouse steps.
- The case resolved for a confidential seven-figure settlement.
How KL Held Everyone Accountable for a Defective Installation
When a product fails after multiple “repairs,” the question isn’t just what went wrong — it’s who is responsible. KL investigated the installation, the door’s design and weight specifications, and the repeated complaints our client made before the door ultimately failed.
That investigation was critical to building a case against both the contractor and the door company, despite their attempts to shift blame elsewhere.
Why the Insurance Companies Couldn’t Defend an Outright Denial
Denying a claim entirely, without offering any compensation, is a high-risk strategy for an insurer, especially with injuries as serious as these. KL was prepared to prove the case at every stage, from liability through damages.
Even after the defense spent tens of thousands of dollars on experts, the evidence of repeated warnings, ignored complaints, and catastrophic injury was too strong to overcome, and the case resolved for a confidential seven-figure amount.
FAQs
Liability can fall on the installer, the manufacturer, or the contractor overseeing the work, depending on what caused the failure and whether prior warnings were ignored.
Documentation of repeated complaints and repair attempts can be critical evidence if the problem recurs and causes an injury.
Yes, insurers sometimes deny claims outright. That doesn’t necessarily mean the claim lacks merit, just that the case needs to be built through litigation.
Parties sometimes agree to confidentiality as a condition of settlement, which can be common in cases involving corporate defendants.
