Spring business sued over alleged underpayment

An insurance adjuster business operating in Spring, is among those being sued by an apartment complex, alleging that its insurance claims as a result of damage from Hurricane Ike have been underpaid.

Nordling Property LLC filed a lawsuit on Oct. 25 in the Harris County District Court against Lexington Insurance Co., Springs Cunningham Lindsey U.S. Inc., Paul Odom and Max Specialty Insurance Co., alleging breach of contract and unfair insurance practices.

The plaintiff says that its apartment complex at 5600 N. Freeway in Houston sustained wind and water damage as a result of Hurricane Ike on Sept. 13, 2008. At the time, the property was insured by Lexington and had an excess insurance policy from Max Specialty.

The plaintiff alleges that after filing the claim, bias adjustors came out and presented grossly insufficient estimated damage figures. The plaintiff hired its own consultants, who found the damage to be at more than $1.2 million. This is compared to the less than $700,000 (minus $250,000 for the deductible) the adjustors had come up with.

The plaintiff is seeking damages including actual damages, exemplary damages, loss of business income, costs to repair, costs associated with hiring engineers and workers, court costs and any other damages it is entitled to by the court. It has also requested a trial by jury.

The plaintiff is being represented in the case by San Antonio Texas attorney Robert W. Loree.

Harris County District Court Case No. 2010-70602.

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