Charleston attorneys urge individual Sun City stucco lawsuits
About 700 Sun City residents had wanted to join the couple's suit, with the aim of making it a class action case. But the four lawyers handling the case -- all construction defect specialists -- notified those homeowners Wednesday that the court won't handle their cases as a class action. So if the residents want to pursue claims for stucco problems, they'll have to file individual suits... Homeowners in Sun City communities near Las Vegas and Phoenix also have sued Pulte, claiming that stucco on their houses was improperly applied.

Charleston attorneys urge individual Sun City stucco lawsuits

Attorneys representing a Sun City Hilton Head couple who allege that stucco was improperly applied to their home are laying the groundwork for multiple lawsuits against Pulte Homes.

About 700 Sun City residents had wanted to join the couple's suit, with the aim of making it a class action case. But the four lawyers handling the case -- all construction defect specialists -- notified those homeowners Wednesday that the court won't handle their cases as a class action. So if the residents want to pursue claims for stucco problems, they'll have to file individual suits.

"We plan on bringing individual claims against Pulte for any stucco homeowner that would like us to," the message from the lawyers said. It also sets up a meeting at 9 a.m. May 10 at the Bluffton library for Sun City homeowners who think their homes have stucco problems to discuss "the bringing of individual claims."

The lawyers, all from Charleston, are John Chakeris, Phillip Segui, W. Jefferson Leach and Michael Seekings.

A spokeswoman for Pulte's Del Webb operation, Caryn Klebba, said the company stands behind its work.

She said Pulte "will inspect any homes where owners believe there's a stucco issue," but declined to discuss the issue further.

The couple suing Pulte alleged in their lawsuit that water damages, a result of stucco-work done on their home, has led to "damage to walls, rot (and) deterioration."

Homeowners in Sun City communities near Las Vegas and Phoenix also have sued Pulte, claiming that stucco on their houses was improperly applied.

"We will not ask any homeowner for any retainer or to front any costs associated with their case," the message from the attorneys to the local homeowners said.

Seekings, one of the attorneys, said it's typical for attorneys to take a third of any cash award in such cases.

Seekings and Leach recently won a $8.2 million settlement in a case that involved claims of defective stucco application at the Beaufort County government complex in Beaufort.
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