Condo owners pursue structural defect, warranty claims – $3,248,105 Verdict

Sandbridge Dunes is a 74-unit, four-story condominium building on the oceanfront in Sandbridge. Following three years of fruitless attempts to have the project developer fix leaks and faulty construction in the common areas, the owner’s association retained experts and counsel to pursue statutory warranty claims, seeking over $4,000,000 to repair the defective work. Defects included faulty installation of siding system, improper selection and installation of windows, failure to address leaks into units and faulty concrete installation, defective design of ground level garage causing oppressive heat build-up, among others. The jury deliberated one and a half days, returning a verdict for plaintiff awarding most of their claimed damages.

[11-T-180]

Type of action: Condominium Act, structural defect/warranty claim
Injuries alleged: Unit Owners Association claimed statutory warranty claims for structural defects in construction of oceanfront condominium project including siding, windows, concrete, HVAC and water leaks
Name of case: Sandbridge Dunes Condominiums Unit Owners Association v. Sandbridge Dunes Condominiums LLC
Court: Virginia Beach Circuit Court
Case no.: CL 09-1156
Tried before: Jury
Judge: Leslie L. Lilley
Date: Jan. 11, 2011
Verdict or settlement: Verdict
Amount: $3,248,105
Attorneys for plaintiff: Stephen G. Test and Robert Travers, Virginia Beach
Attorney for defendant: William C. Bischoff, Virginia Beach
Plaintiff’s experts: Steve Hentz, engineering, Virginia Beach; David L. May, architecture, Virginia Beach