Faulty dishwasher flooded home, suit claims

WINFIELD – A Putnam County couple's insurance company is suing over claims their home was damaged by a faulty dishwasher.

State Farm Fire and Casualty Company filed a lawsuit June 18 in Putnam Circuit Court against General Electric Company, Elbi International S.P.A., Bitron Industries S.P.A. and Bitron Industries China Co. Ltd.

According to the complaint, George and Wanda Kennedy had an insurance policy with State Farm for their home on Hardwood Drive in Scott Depot on July 5, 2012, when a valve in the dishwasher in the home malfunctioned, causing a leak and severe water damage to the property.

The lawsuit says the defective part and the dishwasher were designed, manufactured and distributed by the defendant companies.

State Farm is seeking the $12,600 it paid to the Kennedys in compensation for damages sustained in the incident.

It is being represented in the case by attorney Christopher P. Deegan of Weber Gallagher Simpson Stapleton Fires & Newby LLP in Pittsburgh. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Phillip M. Stowers.

Putnam Circuit Court Case No. 14-C-176