A DuraPro toilet connector lawsuit is now underway, seeking compensation for water damage caused by an alleged defective plumbing component.
The part at issue is the DuraPro toilet connector made by Interline Brands Inc., the sole named defendant in the DuraPro toilet connector lawsuit.
A toilet connector is a flexible hose that connects the incoming water supply to the toilet.
According to the DuraPro toilet connector lawsuit, Interline has been purchasing foreign-made toilet connectors since 2002 that use a defective plastic coupling nut on one end.
These nuts allegedly have a tendency to crack, allowing water to leak out and cause substantial amounts of water damage.
The plaintiffs cite an email exchange between Interline and its manufacturer in China that they say shows the defendant knew about the alleged defect since at least as far back as 2007.
In those emails from October and November 2007, Interline’s quality manager allegedly asked the manufacturer to look into redesigning parts of the toilet connector with a more robust design.
The manufacturer’s response said the problem had been corrected months before and that only leftover old stock would continue to have it.
But for homeowners who already had the allegedly defective DuraPro toilet connectors installed, Interline’s 2007 effort to address the problem via email was too little, too late.
Plaintiffs Describe Unexpected Water Damage
In their first amended complaint, plaintiffs Jacquelyn D. Ajose, Kathy Smith, Sharon Kurtz and Patricia Evett all claim their homes sustained considerable water damage because of the alleged defects in the DuraPro toilet connector.
Ajose says that she returned home one day in June 2014 to find the DuraPro toilet connector on her third floor toilet had failed, “causing water to run unabated throughout her home.”
Kurtz reports a similar problem, and her out-of-pocket repair costs amounted to at least her $5,000 home insurance deductible.
Smith claims that hers failed while she was out of the house for 45 minutes. When she came back, she claims, the house had already withstood at least $10,000 in property damage.
And according to Evett, after her DuraPro toilet connector failed in the middle of the night, she had to tear out walls and flooring and throw away ruined furniture.
Two more claimants, plaintiffs James L. Boyland and Katy Dutton, have since joined this DuraPro toilet connector lawsuit.
The plaintiffs are seeking to represent an entire plaintiff Class consisting of all persons in the U.S. who either purchased a DuraPro toilet connector or who own or reside in a residence where a DuraPro toilet connector is installed.
DuraPro Toilet Connector Lawsuit Survives Motion to Dismiss
In May 2016, the federal judge hearing the case dismissed only some of the plaintiffs’ claims, leaving defendant Interline Brands Inc. to continue to face the remaining claims.
U.S. District Judge Kevin H. Sharp allowed only the plaintiffs’ strict liability claims and Declaratory Judgment Act claims to remain completely intact.
Judge Sharp said that only plaintiff James L. Boyland can continue to bring a claim under the FDUTPA.
Only plaintiffs from Colorado, Texas and Pennsylvania can continue to bring claims for breach of implied warranty.
Judge Sharp completely dismissed claims under the CCPA and for unjust enrichment.
Other persons who lived in a residence with a DuraPro toilet connector installed may also be able to benefit from this DuraPro class action lawsuit.
A consultation with a knowledgeable attorney can apprise you of your best legal options.
The DuraPro Toilet Connector Lawsuit is Jacqueline D. Ajose, et al. v. Interline Brands Inc., Case No. 3:14-cv-1707, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.
UPDATE: On April 24, 2018, Interline Brands Inc. agreed to pay $16.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging the company’s DuraPro Toilet Connectors have a defective part that can lead to flooding, causing damage to homes.
Join a Free DuraPro Toilet Connector Class Action Lawsuit Investigation
If you experienced serious water damage in your home due to a failed DuraPro toilet connector since 2002, you may be entitled to compensation. You may qualify to participate in a DuraPro toilet connector class action lawsuit investigation. It’s absolutely free to participate, so act now!
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