Mid-Miami Roofing and Miami University Headed to Court in Dorm Fire

BY ALEX MCKEON

Miami University Journalism Student

Miami University and a Boston-based insurance company are expected in Butler County Court Tuesday to provide an update in its lawsuit against Mid-Miami Roofing, Inc., according to court records.

The university and the Lexington Insurance Company sued the Monroe, Ohio-based roofer alleging it violated its contract. The lawsuit stems from a June 15 fire in the north wing of Swing Hall, a residential building on Miami's campus.

No one was hurt and no rooms were damaged in the fire. But water and smoke damaged to the roof of the building, where contractors were working on copper gutters. The roof sustained significant damage, according to the lawsuit.

Trial Details

The lawsuit alleges that the Mid-Miami Roofing was negligent, breached its contract and breached the warranty to perform in a workmanlike manner and were negligent in hiring and retention of employees.

The court records suggest that Mid-Miami Roofing failed to exercise some proper care on the copper gutter work, and failure to use the heat torch in a safe manner, and the failure to use a braided wire brush on a cordless drill in a safe manner among other violations.

Mid-Miami Roofing declined to discuss the lawsuit or the status update hearing slated for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Miami University is seeking $1,245,759.40 according to court documents. This figured includes $350,000 of Miami’s uninsured losses and deductible interest.

Director of Communications for Miami Claire Wagner said safety is a priority of the university.

“There is a great deal of oversight in the way the university manages,” said Wagner. “There are processes in place when new construction occurs [on campus]”.

This is the not the first time the roofing company has been sued. It was involved in a 2014 negligence case, but the case was dropped in January.

Photo of Swing Hall at Miami University – Photo by Miami University.