Am I obligated to pay for an entire plumbing billif extensive damage was done to my home?
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Am I obligated to pay for an entire plumbing billif extensive damage was done to my home?
A well known plumbing company did some plumbing work in my attic. Extensive damage to a bedroom was sustained the 1st day when the plumbers left off a fitting and turned water on. Another leak occurred the following day in another room. The company did replace carpet padding and damaged furniture. However, I had to take 2 weeks off work to allow contractors access to my home (to repair carpeting, ceilings, etc.). They also did not clean up the attic following work. We have not paid yet. Can I ask for compensation for my time off work and inconvenience? They are asking for payment in full.
Asked on July 26, 2011 Texas
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You have a claim for damages caused by the plumbing company for negligent work that it performed at your home. You are responsible to the plumbing company for the reasonable value of the services they rendered for you. Offsetting the both, one receives a net amount.
Unless there is a personal injury claim, one normally does not receive compensation for taking time off of work to take care of a problem such as the one you have at your home. You can ask for lost wages and inconvenience, but I doubt that the plumbing company will pay such.
In your case, the measure of damages is typically the cost of repairing the damages by the plumbing company. The cost does not ordinarily include lost time from work and inconvenience.
Good question.
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