Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Maine

I purchased a house in Maine in May 09. A condition of the sale was that the seller have a particular plumbing fixture updated (a backflow valve, required by the town to be updated prior to property transfer). He told the closing company and the town that he had a licensed plumber do the work. The sale went through, and no one knew there was a problem until the water dept turned on the water to the house. Turns out the seller did the installation himself, and incorrectly, causing the finished basement to flood. We initially asked him to pay the bill to have a plumber fix the problem, $250. He said he would but kept stalling. By September, it was determined that extensive water and mold damage had been done by the flood that he caused. This is estimated to about $3500 of damage. He still will not pay the plumbing bill, and now we want to sue him for the water damage as well. He has, however, moved to Florida. Can I still sue him in Maine, where the property in question is?


Asked on 11/09/09, 7:25 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Elliott Teel Teel Law Office

Yes, actually Maine may be the only place to sue him. The contract involves property in Maine, and if you were both Maine residents at the time, jurisdiction will be in Maine. If your damages are just $3500 then you need to go to Small Claims court. You should make sure that all of your expenses in dealing with this are included so you can be fully compensated.

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Answered on 11/15/09, 12:29 pm


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