In a recent court filing, Robert C. Meyer Jr. and Kristie Meyer have lodged a negligence and breach of contract complaint against Gause Built Marine, Inc., a Florida-based corporation. The complaint was filed on May 22, 2024, in the Circuit Court for the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida.
The plaintiffs, Robert C. Meyer Jr. and Kristie Meyer, allege that Gause Built Marine, Inc. failed to properly install and commission a new set of triple engines along with associated components on their 2010 Jupiter 38 vessel. According to the complaint, the defendant commenced work in April 2022 at their Tarpon Springs location but failed to deliver a functional vessel upon completion in May 2022. The Meyers assert that the vessel experienced immediate issues including improper throttle installation and malfunctioning gauges.
The situation escalated in September 2022 when an employee from Gause Built Marine arrived unannounced at the Meyers' residence to install an additional electrical component necessary for completing the job. Despite being told by Mrs. Meyer to wait until her husband could be contacted, the employee proceeded to board the vessel without permission and subsequently caused it to fall off its boat lift into shallow water. This incident rendered the vessel completely inoperable.
The plaintiffs claim that due to this mishandling, their vessel sustained extensive damage which voided its lifetime structural warranty provided by Jupiter, the manufacturer of the vessel. Efforts to repair the vessel were unsuccessful as no repair shop was willing to undertake such extensive repairs without compromising safety or restoring the warranty.
On February 8, 2024, Sun Coast Marine Surveying and Consulting conducted a valuation appraisal of the damaged vessel which determined its value at $530,000 using the Cost Approach Method. Additionally, replacement costs were estimated at $930,000 USD.
The Meyers are seeking compensation for various damages including loss of use of their vessel since September 2022, insurance expenses, storage costs accruing daily since then, and significant damage to their boat lift and dock requiring repairs exceeding $10,000 USD.
In their lawsuit against Gause Built Marine Inc., they are demanding judgment for more than $50,000 plus attorney’s fees and other related costs under both negligence and breach of contract claims.
Representing attorneys for Robert C. Meyer Jr., and Kristie Meyer are Andrew R. Pardun (FBN:119321) and Alec M Waid (FBN:1014852) from Battaglia Ross Dicus & McQuaid PA located at St Petersburg FL while case number is registered as Case Number:24-002258-CI presided over by Judge Ken Burke.