Beaumont construction company accused of negligence in apartment building fire

The company that insures a Port Arthur apartment complex seeks to recover losses after a Beaumont construction company allegedly allowed a fire to damage the building.

Everest National Insurance Co., as insurer of ProdiGem LLC, filed a lawsuit Aug. 6 in the Beaumont Division of the Eastern District of Texas against Triangle F Construction.

According to the complaint, Triangle F Construction was hired to work on the Shire Apartments prior to September 2013. During its work, the company allegedly removed the fire-resistant exterior siding and failed to install a temporary light fixture.  

When a fire started at the building in September 2013, ProdiGem says its property was seriously damaged. A claim made by ProdiGem to Everest National Insurance was paid by the insurer, according to the lawsuit. 

Everest National Insurance accuses Triangle F Construction of negligence for allegedly allowing a fire to start and failing to prevent the fire from spreading. Because of the negligence, the insurance company contends it is entitled to be reimbursed for damages it paid to ProdiGem. 

Everest National Insurance asks to be awarded more than $75,000 plus attorney fees and court costs.

Attorneys James D. Dendinger of Dallas and James P. Cullen Jr. of Philadelphia represent Everest National Insurance. They seek a jury trial.

The case number is Beaumont Division of the Eastern District of Texas case 1:14-cv-00405-RC.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Beaumont Division of the Eastern District of Texas. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note that a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt and it represents only one side of the story.