American Family Mutual Ins. Co. v. Raylyn Properties, LLC
Feb 27, 2015OUTCOME: Verdict over $430,000
Mr. Christenson represented homeowners and their insurer after a house fire destroyed their home in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. On behalf of the homeowners, Mr. Christenson alleged that the defendant genera ... l contractor negligently installed a fireplace, ultimately causing the house fire. Because the house fire occurred after the Plaintiffs modified the fireplace, the Defendant offered less than 10% of the Plaintiffs' total damages prior to trial and argued at trial that the homeowner was 100% liable for causing the fire because the fire occurred after the homeowners' modified the fireplace. Mr. Christenson maintained that the modification was only the "straw that broke the camel's back," and the fire would not have occurred if not for the negligent installation by the general contractor. The jury agreed, finding the defendant 76% at fault in causing the fire.
