Allstate sues to collect $110K for policyholder's fire damage

GALVESTON - Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Co. seeks to recover around $110,000 for one of its clients in response to a fire last September.

Court papers filed Aug. 15 in Galveston County District Court claim Dr. Gustav Schmeige Jr. and Gustav Schmeige III owe Allstate policyholder Jonnie Davidson $133,709 for damage his League City townhouse sustained during the Sept. 17, 2010, fire.

According to the original petition, Allstate argues that the younger Schmeige was moving items around the kitchen while the stove was turned on, and placed some things on the hot surface.

The items caught fire, which was doused by a glass of water.

Gustav Schmeige III then left the residence to visit a storage closet only to return with the property in flames, the suit states.

According to the complaint, Davidson's townhouse also caught fire, and Allstate paid for damages to the dwelling and its contents.

The complaint also shows the fire destroyed the wall between both parties' townhouses and insists the Schmeiges are bound by their homeowners' association to make up for the damages.

"To date, neither defendant has reimbursed Davidson for the property damage caused by the fire that they negligently caused," the original petition says.

Cozen O'Connor is representing Allstate, and Galveston County 10th District Court Judge David Garner is presiding over the case.

Case No. 11-cv-1322