Yale Law Group, PLLC Represents Couple Awarded $605,000.00
In August 2015, a jury in Denton County has awarded $605,000 to the Defendants in a suit dubbed “Snake-nado”. The Plaintiffs sued the Defendants for fraud and violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, alleging that the property they were sold was infested with copperhead snakes, and that the Defendants failed to disclose the presence of snakes. The suit came to an end after 4 years. One Plaintiff is both an attorney and a CPA, making the verdict indicative of a rising trend of professionals abusing their power.
In 2011 the Plaintiffs and Defendants entered into a contract on 3 acres of property in rural Argyle, Texas. The months leading up to the July closing, and those immediately following, were filled with turmoil, as Plaintiffs repeatedly threatened suit and recession, and demanded several price reductions. It was clear that (1) the Plaintiffs were not going to let go of the property, and (2) the Plaintiffs planned on suing the Defendants regardless of the accommodations made. Despite their knowledge of rural land in North Texas and the likelihood of snakes on the property, the Plaintiffs almost immediately filed suit alleging a failure to disclose the copperhead snakes on the property. Although the Plaintiffs received an inspection report, the Plaintiffs claimed to have no knowledge of the snakes, a room addition, and various improvements recommended for the property.
At trial, the Defendants’ counsel, Roger Yale, showed the jury the true intentions of Plaintiffs. The numerous emails to the Defendants, the Defendants’ real estate agent, and the Defendants’ previous attorney illuminated Plaintiffs’ attempts to use his law license as means to bully the elderly couple. Likewise, the pure inconsistencies in the claims asserted by the Plaintiffs-stating they found at least 100 copperheads within the first 90 days of receipt of the property while alleging only 2 sightings in their demand letter sent 2 months after closing, and claiming over $100,000 in “snake proofing” without a single invoice or bill-broke apart Plaintiffs’ façade before the jury.
The Yale Law Group, PLLC goes above and beyond for its clients, fighting against bullies of all shapes and sizes.