Home Demolished in Rowlett - Oops!

[WildBill]

ROWLETT — Both owners of a duplex in Rowlett said they are shocked that a demolition company mistakenly tore down their homes on Tuesday.

Lindsay Diaz and Alan Cutter own both sides of the duplex, and were waiting on insurance and a possible FEMA individual assistance declaration to decide on repairs.

Diaz said she received a frantic call from Cutter’s wife on Tuesday afternoon saying the duplex was gone.

“I pull up, and — sure enough — it’s gone,” Diaz said. “There’s nothing left.”

The demolition company was supposed to tear down a home one block away.

A representative from Nabors Demolition told WFAA it had no comment, and that the situation was under investigation.

“How do you make a mistake like this?" Diaz asked. " I mean, this is just the worst.

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/dallas-c ... t/97622816

[Bayoutalker]

Sounds like a job for "The Strong Arm"!

[WildBill]

Sounds like a job for "The Strong Arm"!

No thanks. I would find someone else to represent me.

[Jusme]

ROWLETT — Both owners of a duplex in Rowlett said they are shocked that a demolition company mistakenly tore down their homes on Tuesday.

Lindsay Diaz and Alan Cutter own both sides of the duplex, and were waiting on insurance and a possible FEMA individual assistance declaration to decide on repairs.

Diaz said she received a frantic call from Cutter’s wife on Tuesday afternoon saying the duplex was gone.

“I pull up, and — sure enough — it’s gone,” Diaz said. “There’s nothing left.”

The demolition company was supposed to tear down a home one block away.

A representative from Nabors Demolition told WFAA it had no comment, and that the situation was under investigation.

“How do you make a mistake like this?" Diaz asked. " I mean, this is just the worst.

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/dallas-c ... t/97622816

Sounds like they won't have to wait on FEMA to decide on assistance.

[Wag2323]

The demo company shouldn't have used just google maps to decide on the correct address. Seems like street signs and a house number should be what they are using

[Jusme]

The demo company shouldn't have used just google maps to decide on the correct address. Seems like street signs and a house number should be what they are using

They are just given an address, probably handwritten, possibly with numbers transposed, in an area with tornado damage, so street signs, numbers on houses etc. may not be visible. This is not the first occurrence, Nabors Demolition will be buying someone a new duplex.

[JustSomeOldGuy]

If it had been hit by a tornado first, house number might not have been there. Sounds like a juicy lawsuit against the demolition company AND Google. But it's probably going to be years before the owners see any money. Unless their homeowners insurance covers it (and then files their own lawsuits to recover the non-storm costs).

[ELB]

That's awful. I can understand that street signs and numbers might be missing, but that should say to the contractor to be extra double-sure he is at the right place. this is not the first time in history the wrong house got pulled down.

[Jusme]

That's awful. I can understand that street signs and numbers might be missing, but that should say to the contractor to be extra double-sure he is at the right place. this is not the first time in history the wrong house got pulled down.

I don't think it's the first time for Nabors, I got busy and haven't been able to look but I believe they wee involved in some other cases like this. I'll try to find the stories as soon as I get time.

[Soccerdad1995]

It's just too bad that the duplex owners decided to store that priceless Ming vase in there the day before.........

I wouldn't want to be the owner of that demo company right about now.

[LeakyWaders]

Sounds like a job performed by those who will do the job that American's won't do.

[twomillenium]

If it had been hit by a tornado first, house number might not have been there. Sounds like a juicy lawsuit against the demolition company AND Google. But it's probably going to be years before the owners see any money. Unless their homeowners insurance covers it (and then files their own lawsuits to recover the non-storm costs).

How would Google be responsible? The company should know better than to do something without physical verification. Google is not responsible for the contractors stupidity and laziness.

[Haas]

It's just too bad that the duplex owners decided to store that priceless Ming vase in there the day before.........

I wouldn't want to be the owner of that demo company right about now.

[talltex]

Not just the demolition company in this case. There were several cases last year where the city of Dallas went to the wrong address and bulldozed the wrong houses that were supposed to be cleared for code enforcement/ safety / abatement.

[JustSomeOldGuy]

If it had been hit by a tornado first, house number might not have been there. Sounds like a juicy lawsuit against the demolition company AND Google. But it's probably going to be years before the owners see any money. Unless their homeowners insurance covers it (and then files their own lawsuits to recover the non-storm costs).

How would Google be responsible? The company should know better than to do something without physical verification. Google is not responsible for the contractors stupidity and laziness.

Lawyers tend to go after "deep pockets", and Google, when queried for an address, pointed to the wrong location, contributing to the situation.
Plaintiff attorney will happily file suit and let the relative percentages of responsibility shake out in the litigation process.....
It's got very little to do with reality. Remember the McDonalds 'hot coffee in my lap' lawsuit?