Mich Court Vacates $706,465 Judgment as 'Clearly Excessive'

TROY, Mich. - A Michigan appellate court has reversed a $706,465.30 judgment for homebuyers who sued the previous owners, home inspectors and a contractor over extensive water and mold damage after a 2002 storm. Van Eslander v. Thomas Sebold & Associates Inc., et al., Nos. 272396 and 274966 (Mich. Ct. App.).

By a 2-1 majority, the Michigan Court of Appeals panel held in an unpublished opinion on Dec. 2 that there was insufficient evidence from which a jury could conclude that the former owners' failure to make repairs to French doors or a window well caused the extensive damage to …