WHEELING – Property owners allege their insurance company canceled their policies after they reported an infestation of bats.
Nathaniel Realty LLC and Howard L. Shackelford, MD filed a complaint in Ohio Circuit Court against State Farm Fire and Casualty Co. alleging breach of contract.
According to the complaint, Nathaniel Realty is the owner of a parcel of land and dwelling in Salesville, Ohio and Shackelford is the owner of a Wheeling property. The suit states both of the properties are insured by the defendant.
The suit states in July 2017, it was discovered that the attic at the Salesville property was infested with hundreds of bats and the plaintiffs notified the defendant. They allege the defendant canceled the policy on the property one month after the infestation was reported.
The plaintiffs allege they spent more than $14,000 to remediate the infestation and the defendant denied the claim for reimbursement. They allege after their counsel asked the defendant to reconsider the denial, the defendant again refused and then canceled Shackelford's insurance policy.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek judgment for compensatory, general and punitive damages; statutory pre- and post-judgment interest; attorney fees; costs; and expenses incurred. They are represented by Scott S. Blass of Bordas & Bordas PLLC in Wheeling.
The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Ronald E. Wilson.
Ohio Circuit Court case number 18-C-116