$8 million settlement for defective copper pipes

As co-lead counsel, Brian Kabateck assisted 600 Ladera Ranch homeowners in settling class action cases with two homebuilders for a total of $8 million. About 6,000 homeowners in Ladera Ranch are suing 10 different construction companies for installing copper pipes that degraded or broke apart due to the community’s water conditions. The plaintiffs argue the homebuilders knew about the defective copper pipes prior to installing them into their homes. Initially, defense attorneys for two of the homebuilding companies, K. Hovnanian Enterprises Inc. and DR Horton Los Angeles Holding Company, successfully argued to dismiss the class action cases in the pleading stage. Mr. Kabateck appealed that decision and a Court of Appeal Judge decided the class action had merits to move forward towards certification. The homeowners sustained water damage and had to replace all of the piping in their home.