Suit Filed Against Insurance Company Over Apartment Explosion

Tenants who suffered personal injuries in an apartment explosion two years ago and the administrator of a deceased tenant’s estate are seeking declaratory judgment against an insurance company.

According to the suit filed in Illinois’ St. Clair County Circuit Court on May 13 by Michael Stifle, Roger Osborn, and Tammy Wood, on behalf of Harry Yargus, Church Mutual Insurance Co. has refused to provide liability coverage for an incident that occurred at an apartment building on May 29, 2007.

The suit says that a gas explosion and subsequent fire occurred at the apartment building. Stifle and Osborn suffered injuries in the incident and have pending injury suits in Crawford County. Yargus died in the incident and Wood, on his behalf, has a pending case in St. Clair County.

According to the plaintiffs, the insurance company has two liability policies, each with limits of $1 million.

The suit has also named Five Star Management, A.J. Mason, Inc. and Rena Smith, the property manager, as defendants.

The suit claims the insurance company is contractually obligated to indemnify the other defendants in their capacities of maintaining and managing the building.