Man says Sentry Inspection Services negligently inspected property

HUNTINGTON - A man is suing Sentry Inspection Services Inc. after he claims it breached its contract and was negligent in inspecting property he purchased.

Four Seasons Realty Inc., Swede Log Homes Inc. and Robert B. Bengtsson were also named as defendants in the suit.

In the winter months of 2007, Stephen M. Hood contacted Four Seasons seeking assistance in purchasing rental real estate in Gatlinburg, Tenn., and it directed his attention to two cabins that were built in 2007 by Swede and Bengtsson, known as Dreamcatcher and Wild Wild West, according to a complaint filed Nov. 27 in Cabell Circuit Court.

Hood claims Four Seasons represented to him that each cabin had an independent source of water and falsely represented that each cabin had its own water well.

On Dec. 10, 2007, Hood and Sentry entered into a contract whereby Sentry would visually inspect all general systems and components of the cabins, including water wells, water distribution systems and electrical systems and components and to identify any system or component that may be in need of immediate major repair or replacement, according to the suit.

Hood claims Sentry noted various details relating to the water wells and water systems of the cabins, but it failed to identify any deficiencies with those systems or their components and it failed to identify or report a need for immediate major repair or replacement relating to those systems or components.

As a direct and proximate result of the defendants' actions, Hood suffered substantial damages, including lost rental income, the cost of drilling a water well at Dreamcatcher, the cost of installing reservoirs at Dreamcatcher and Wild Wild West and other damages and inconveniences, according to the suit.

Hood claims the defendants breached their duty by failing to inform him of the defective condition of the water wells.

The defendants were negligent and caused Hood to sustain damages, according to the suit.

Hood is seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. He is being represented by Marc E. Williams of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge F. Jane Hustead.

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 13-C-923