Litigation
August 2020 Litigation Update:
We mediated our case on June 29 – 30 with the 4 defendants: the Vista entities; Essex Engineering; Romero’s Contracting; and Pro- Exterminating. We settled with Pro-Exterminating for $200,000.
Because of the pandemic the initial opening conference with all parties, lawyers, and insurance representatives was by Zoom. Thereafter the negotiations were conducted by text, email, and conference call. The Board has been fully engaged in the negotiations receiving information from the mediator and advice, information, and recommendations from our attorney. All responses to offers from each defendant has been fully discussed and approved by the Board.
Although we did not settle with the other three defendants during the formal two days of mediation, we are continuing to work with the mediator and, through him, negotiate with each of them. Essex and Romero made additional offers on Wednesday, July 1; we made new demands to Essex and Romero that same evening. We currently (noon on July 2) have demands outstanding to the other three. Due to the pandemic there are no deadlines for concluding these negotiations but the Board and our attorney are committed to pushing them forward to a conclusion.
Because we are actively negotiating with these defendants our attorney has advised us not to discuss the specifics of our discussions or the negotiations.
We mediated our case on June 29 – 30 with the 4 defendants: the Vista entities; Essex Engineering; Romero’s Contracting; and Pro- Exterminating. Based on coverage and liability we settled with Pro-Exterminating for the expected amount of $200,000.
Because of the pandemic the initial opening conference with all parties, lawyers, and insurance representatives was by Zoom. Thereafter the negotiations were conducted by text, email, and conference call. The Board has been fully engaged in the negotiations receiving information from the mediator and advice, information, and recommendations from our attorney. All responses to offers from each defendant has been fully discussed and approved by the Board.
Although we did not settle with the other three defendants during the formal two days of mediation, we are continuing to work with the mediator and, through him, negotiate with each of them. Essex and Romero made additional offers on Wednesday, July 1; we made new demands to Essex and Romero that same evening. We currently (noon on July 2) have demands outstanding to the other three. Due to the pandemic there are no deadlines for concluding these negotiations but the Board and our attorney are committed to pushing them forward to a conclusion.
Because we are actively negotiating with these defendants our attorney has advised us not to discuss the specifics of our discussions or the negotiations.
