In a recent filing with the Ventura Superior Court, plaintiffs Michael Everett and Alexis Schlosser have launched a comprehensive lawsuit against Castleworks Home Services Company, doing business as Thousand Oaks Plumbing, and Thousand Oaks Plumbing, Inc. The complaint was filed on June 3, 2024, by their attorney Garry S. Malin. The plaintiffs are accusing the defendants of negligence, breach of contract, and multiple counts of fraud.
The case revolves around alleged improper plumbing work performed at the plaintiffs' residence located at 1774 Lawson Avenue in Simi Valley, California. According to the complaint, Everett and Schlosser hired Thousand Oaks Plumbing in August 2020 to perform extensive plumbing repairs including rerouting kitchen and laundry drain lines. The scope of work included opening stucco walls, exposing drain pipes, trenching dirt around the home, installing new ABS piping and fittings per code requirements, among other tasks. Despite assurances from the defendants that the work had been completed satisfactorily and in a workmanlike manner, issues arose when kitchen pipes clogged and burst in February 2023.
"Employees of Thousand Oaks Plumbing assured us that all plumbing work had been done correctly," said Michael Everett in a statement included in the court documents. "But when another plumbing company inspected our home in May 2023, they found numerous deficiencies."
The plaintiffs allege that these deficiencies resulted in significant water damage to their property including mold growth and destruction of personal belongings such as flooring, drywall, cabinets, fixtures, appliances, furniture, and clothing. They further claim that despite repeated attempts by Thousand Oaks Plumbing to rectify the situation under subsequent contracts signed in February 2023 at no additional charge to the plaintiffs—the issues persisted.
Everett and Schlosser are seeking general damages for property damage and loss of personal belongings as well as special damages for costs incurred to repair their home and replace damaged items. They are also asking for compensatory damages related to hotel accommodations during repairs and storage expenses for their belongings. Additionally, they seek punitive damages due to what they describe as intentional misrepresentation by Thousand Oaks Plumbing employees Oscar Delatorre and John Barron who allegedly provided false assurances about the quality of work performed.
"Defendants knew or should have known that their actions would cause significant harm," stated Garry S. Malin on behalf of his clients. "Their failure to disclose critical information about incomplete or improperly executed work is not only negligent but fraudulent."
The plaintiffs also request an award for reasonable attorney's fees based on contractual agreements made with Thousand Oaks Plumbing along with prejudgment interest on any awarded amounts.
The case has been assigned Case ID: 2024CUPP025452 with Judge Brenda L. McCormick presiding over it.