Dickinson couple seeks to dismiss plumbing businesses from 2012 mold lawsuit

GALVESTON - The plaintiffs in a 2012 suit alleging inadequate plumbing work at their home led to significant damage seek to dismiss two of the four entities they are suing. 

Local residents Samuel and Carol Rogers recently filed motions to dismiss Irving Williams, doing business as Williams Plumbing Co., and Sun Coast Plumbing Co. before Judge Susan Criss in the Galveston County 212th District Court earlier this month.

The Rogers' lawsuit, filed March 8, 2012, blames Williams and Sun Coast as well as Keystone Foundation Repair Ltd. and Vornkahl LLC for plumbing work and subsequent repairs at their Dickinson home which resulted in "significant" mold growth.

According to the suit, the Rogers hired Keystone and Vornkahl in January 2010 to perform services at their home, but the couple soon discovered black water backing up into the shower and not draining properly.

Keystone was subsequently brought in to inspect the plumbing system and make necessary repairs, "and unbeknownst to and/or disclosed to the plaintiffs, Keystone retained defendant Irving Williams, doing business as Williams Plumbing Co., to actually perform the work in early February 2011," the suit says.

The plaintiffs claim they found various defects and observed dark spots on the wood floors, pools of water and mold growth, and once again called on Keystone. This time, Keystone apparently recommended Sun Coast Plumbing.

According to the suit, the house remains in disrepair and is uninhabitable.

Sun Coast Plumbing was added to the list of respondents in an amended petition dated July 25, 2012.

The dismissals leave just Keystone and Vornkahl to challenge the Rogers' allegations.

The plaintiffs are represented by Gilman & Allison LLP.

Case No. 12-CV-371