Steptoe lawyers sue Masonite International, allege defective doors

HUNTINGTON - A couple who work for the law firm Steptoe & Johnson are suing Masonite International Inc. after they claim the doors they purchased were defective.

Masonite Corporation and Clay Ingels Company LLC, which is doing business as Kentucky Wholesale Building Products, were also named as defendants in the suit.

On June 24, 2011, Ancil G. Ramey and Hannah C. Ramey purchased Masonite Crown MDF series doors in the amount of $10,713.96, according to a complaint filed April 5 in Cabell Circuit Court. Ancil is a member in the Steptoe & Johnson's Huntington office, while Hannah is of counsel there.

The Rameys claim the doors were marketed, manufactured, distributed and sold by the defendants from 84 Lumber's Huntington store.

On Sept. 11, 2011, after the doors had been installed and painted, it was determined they were defective by employees of Masonite and Kentucky Wholesale and on Dec. 2, 2011, Kentucky Wholesale agreed to send the Rameys a check for $3,600 to allow 84 Lumber to attempt to repair the doors, according to the suit.

The Rameys claim the attempt to repair the doors was unsuccessful and on March 6, 2012, the Rameys purchased replacement doors from 84 Lumber from another manufacturer for $11,541.63.

On March 15, 2012, the Masonite doors were removed and replaced by the new doors at a cost of $5,879, according to the suit.

The Rameys claim they were without interior doors for several weeks while the attempted repairs took place and while they were waiting for delivery of their replacement doors.

Painting the replacement doors cost the Rameys $2,000, according to the suit, with brought the Rameys' total cost for purchase and replacement of the defective doors to $18,592.96, according to the suit.

The Rameys are seeking judgment against the defendants under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. They are being represented by John W. Alderman III of the Law Offices of John W. Alderman III.

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

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 13-C-221