Condo owner cites management for water damage

A Harris County woman has sued a Galveston homeowners association, alleging damage from a water leak.

Tina Cohen filed a lawsuit March 31 in Galveston County District Court against By The Sea Council of Co-Owners Inc. of Galveston, alleging damages from a water leak.

According to the complaint, Cohen owns a residential condominium unit at 7310 Seawall Blvd.  No. 909 in Galveston managed by the defendant. The suit states another unit owner initially noticed a leak Sept. 4, 2014, and notified management. The defendant entered the plaintiff’s unit to inspect the premises but did not notify Cohen until Oct. 8, 2014, according to the lawsuit.

The suit states maintenance personnel damaged Cohen’s unit by knocking holes in the ceiling to alleviate water pressure in common area spaces, which then caused flooding in the plaintiff’s unit. According to the lawsuit, the unit incurred mold damage and required remediation and construction to repair damaged areas.

The plaintiff alleges negligence and breach of contract on the part of the defendant, maintaining the association is obligated to repair her unit and has failed to do so.

Cohen seeks damages between $100,000 and $200,000 in compensation, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorney fees, expenses and costs. Cohen is represented by attorneys Danny Sheena and Jason Scofield of The Sheena Law Firm in Houston.

Galveston County District Court case number: 15-CV-0324.