HOUSTON – The owners of a San Antonio car wash claim they purchased a defective system and were denied coverage for it.
Bexar County resident April Shaffer, individually and executrix of the estate of George D. Shaffer, and Ky Shaffer, of Nueces County,brought a lawsuit against Dent Holdings, Inc., doing business as Rider Wash Systems; Farmers Insurance Exchange; Paul Antonucci; and Jim Coleman Co. on Dec.15 in the Harris County 269th District Court.
According to recent court papers, the Shaffers entered into a sales and purchase agreement with Rider for the purchase of the subject product manufactured by Jim Coleman in the amount of $297,221.80. The system was delivered and activated at the plaintiffs’ business at 7850 Callaghan Rd.in San Antonio.
Following the activation, the suit says, the system experienced multiple failures of which Rider and Jim Coleman refused to accept liability. The business was reportedly forced to bear the costs of repairs.
Court documents further assert the system further malfunctioned a few more times, stating it crushed some vehicles and later caught fire. The last incident led to the car wash shutting down operations,the complaint says.
More forced shutdowns prompted the plaintiffs to file insurance claims with Farmers, to which the suit alleges were not covered because the equipment was “damaged due to faulty design, workmanship, and specifications.”
Consequently, the complainants seek unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
They are represented by attorneys Daniel P. Barton and Wayne C. Collins of the Barton Law Firm in Houston.
Harris County 269th District Court Case No. 2017-83329