Mass Construction Defect Class Actions

$1,400,000 – Melnick & Roberts v. Orleans Homebuilders, Inc – Docket No. BUR-C-152-01

A $1,400,000 valued settlement on behalf of 3,721 homeowners who resided in town homes and condominiums throughout Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. This settlement provided injunctive relief which included Orleans providing carbon monoxide detectors to each class member; two (2) years of inspections for each class member’s home; and repairs of any construction defects in each class members’ utility room. Allegations in the class members’ complaint included construction defects and consumer fraud. March 2003.

Ward v. Orleans Homebuilders Inc.

Orleans settled and agreed to repair over 260 homes with common air conditioning design and installation defects which were causing water infiltration. 2005

Barkers v. Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G) et. al

A settlement was reached between a putative class of homeowners and PSE&G wherein PSE&G agreed to either install excess flow valves or place cement protective bollards to approximately 2,800 residential and commercial meter sets located throughout the State of New Jersey pursuant to a Work Plan that was filed with the Board of Public Utilities. Plaintiffs alleged that PSE&G negligently placed meters in a dangerous condition, in close proximity to persons’ driveways, garage doors or parking areas.  As a result of the efforts of Shabel & DeNittis, P.C. in pursuing this case, the Board of Public Utilities proposed and adopted new rules and regulations in December of 2004 prohibiting any new or existing gas meters from being installed within 3 feet of any garage door, driveway or parking area in the State of New Jersey. June 2004.

Schmoll v. J.S. Hovnanian, Docket Number, BUR-C-141-02

A settlement was reached with homebuilder J.S. Hovnanian & Sons on behalf of 996 homeowners who reside in single family homes throughout Mt. Laurel, New Jersey.  The settlement was reached after four days at trial. The settlement included defendants providing inspections and repairs of class members’ homes.  September 2005.

$342,000 – Felderstein et. al. v. Orleans Homebuilders, Inc. – Docket No. BUR-L-479-02

A cash settlement with defendant, Orleans Homebuilders, Inc., for a class of 57 homeowners in the Laurel Creek development in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. The members of the class alleged that there was a construction defect when the homes were constructed. The class members alleged defendants negligently constructed the homes when it failed to place flashing around the bay windows of their homes which led to substantial water damage. February 2003.