Con Ed being a$$holes ....but we are persevering

I thought the Brownstoner family might like an update on my co-ops small claims court case against Con Edison for flooding our basement on the 8th of February 2013. Please see here first if not familiar http://brownstoner.staging.wpengine.com/forums/topic/small-claims-court-against-con-edison/ and then http://brownstoner.staging.wpengine.com/forums/topic/settlement-offer-from-con-ed/ OK so the scoop is this….I got screwed three times……the first time by ConEd flooding the basement on 8th of Feb 2013, the second time when their lawyer turned up and lied to the court saying he needed a continuance on December 5th 2013 saying “he just got the case” even though I had emails back and forth for 4 months. Now I’ve been screwed for a 3rd time. So I turned up to court on Thursday the 8th of May all ready to go, the judge said ok give me the short version, I told him what happened in 60 secs or less, he turned to Coned’s lawyer and said ok your position….. Ron Vales the lawyer from CON Ed who has been involved in this case since July 2013 said….your honor we ask that this case be dismissed because the summons to Con Ed is in the name of “Dean Collins 135 Henry St Brooklyn” and as far as we can tell the property damaged belongs to 135 Henry Owners Corp so this plaintiff has no legal standing to sue us. …….f4ck me…… Basically the judge asked the details and I said I explained how all of the emails from me, the invoices we provided are all in the name of the co-op and I’ve been representing the co-op as its president and the current president (I’m now treasurer) was here in the court as well, and that we have always said we were seeking repayment for the money expended by the co-op to plumbers from the co-ops bank account be repaid. He said sorry …..dismissed……but then Judge Cohen said to con edisons lawyer……I suggest you step outside and sort this out because this case will probably come before me again and pre judgment statutory interest will be accruing (9% pa for those who don’t know). Anyway when we stepped outside Ronald Vales ignored the judge and said look we don’t believe we are responsible, we’ve offered you 50% I suggest you take it. I said the co-op met and voted at our agm and rejected it as it wasn’t our fault H asked that we give him a few days to see what he can do and to wait until Wednesday, Wednesday came and went….. with no phone call, I called him today he said nope sorry you will need to refile. So we did….. 135 Henry Owners Corp Vs Con Edison round 4 on Wednesday October 29th at 9.30. Lets see if I can get screwed for a 4th time.

deanbh

in Utilities 10 years and 11 months ago

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deanbh | 10 years and 6 months ago

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long story short….but we got the money from ConEd…..though the bastards strung the legal process out as long as they could – http://brownstoner.staging.wpengine.com/forums/topic/and-they-said-wed-never-win/

deanbh | 10 years and 11 months ago

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uhm not correct at all In commercial claims, a corporation may appear, as a claimant or defendant, by an attorney as well as by an authorized officer, director or employee of the corporation (CCA § 1809-A) as long as the non-lawyer who appears for of the corporation has the power to bind the corporation in a settlement or trial. Basically as the “co-op president” I can represent our co-op in small claims. We’ve refilled already……..will be sure to post in a few months with the outcome. And ….no sorry but we’re not interested in settling for something that was 100% not our fault. It will cost ConEd more in legal fees (salaried…but still an expense) than it will to settle up with us for the repairs we incurred by our plumber.

qnscouple | 10 years and 11 months ago

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Take the deal

ventilated | 10 years and 11 months ago

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The dirty secret that the legal system and most attorneys won’t reveal is that they have vanishingly little interest in “justice.” You and your co-op not only want to be made whole, but to achieve a moral victory and send a righteous (or self-righteous) message. They are totally unimpressed and just want you to settle and disappear. Only one side will get something close to what they’re aiming for (and hate to break it to you, it won’t be you).

bk1lnite | 10 years and 11 months ago

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Too bad you were not aware of this before filing last year. Greenmountain did tip you off to this issue in his reply to your post last month. “…I also learned my business can not sue in small claims court, only I can sue as an individual. Was your personal property damaged, or the property of a corporation?” I understand the desire to persevere on principle but you’re probably better off taking 50% if you can still get it.

runt876 | 10 years and 11 months ago

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The above comments are all true. You absolutely need an attorney to represent the corporation.

slopefarm | 10 years and 11 months ago

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that’s my understanding, as well. A corproation cannot appear “pro se” (i.e., on its own behalf)– it needs to be represented by counsel. Since your damages are $2k (plus $180/year in interest, pro rated but not compounded), this won’t be worth it unless you find a lawyer friend willing to do it for free. Take the deal (if it is still on the table) and tell your co-opers they are each going to have to eat their share of $1k. Not terrible in the grand scheme of things.

ellenlourie | 10 years and 11 months ago

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This case must be handled by attorney. It will cost you. This is the reason they offered you the deal. Take it. Just my 2 cents.

resident2 | 10 years and 11 months ago

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Unless you filed it through an Attorney representing your Corporation, it will be dismissed again. All corporations must be represented by an Attorney.