JACKSONVILLE – A Jacksonville company is suing over allegations that the defendants, headquartered in Taiwan, shipped faulty faucets and shower stalls, and then interfered with the plaintiff's ability to conduct business.
Worldwide Distribution LLLP filed the suit on Jan. 12 in the Jacksonville Division of the Middle District of Florida against Everlotus Industries Corp., Wellmade Faucets Corp. and their president, Fengyu "Gary" Wu, claiming that after instances of unsatisfactory products and conduct by the corporate defendants, the plaintiff learned that its customers were being contacted by Wu in a way that interfered with the plaintiff's business relationships.
Worldwide Distribution, which imports products for distribution to recreational vehicle manufacturers, claims that it had been conducting business with the defendants since 2005, with Wu as the plaintiff's main contact. During the period of that business relationship, the suit alleges, the plaintiff sent individual purchase orders to the corporate defendants, which were to supply the plaintiff with goods to meet its customers' needs, warranty the quality of the goods and satisfy any claims regarding defective items.
In December 2013 and February 2014, the suit alleges, the defendants shipped defective faucets; and in November 2014, they allegedly shipped defective shower stalls. Despite repeated requests from the plaintiff, the corporate defendants refused to replace or refund the value of the goods, so the plaintiff had to provide its own refunds to its customers, according to the lawsuit.
Furthermore, the suit claims, in April 2015 the corporate defendants stopped shipping orders to the plaintiff, at which time the plaintiff allegedly learned that Wu had been contacting the plaintiff's customers directly, telling them the plaintiff couldn't fill its orders.
Among the plaintiff's claims against the defendants are breach of oral and written contracts, common law indemnity for the damages resulting from the defendants' defective goods, and interference by the defendants with the plaintiff's business relationships.
In addition to a trial by jury, the plaintiff seeks a judgment for damages, interest, court costs and other relief the court deems appropriate. The plaintiff is represented by W. Braxton Gillam IV and John C.W. Cherneski of Milam Howard Nicandri Dees & Gillam PA of Jacksonville.
Jacksonville Division of the Middle District of Florida Case number 16-cv-26-J-39JBT