Opinion ID: 2315901
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Negligent Installation of a Valve

Text: Leon P. Piatelli testified that Wellington spent approximately $9000 to replace a telephone system allegedly damaged when the sprinklers installed by Capital Fire discharged water due to the improper installation of a valve. He also testified that Wellington was reimbursed by its insurance carrier for this amount. Piatelli was unable, however, to document an exact cost figure for the repairs and an invoice from the telephone company reflects a charge of only $2675. Capital Fire admits to installing the valve incorrectly but objected to the referee's consideration of the invoice in assessing damages on the ground that there was no credible evidence, other than Piatelli's testimony, to link the invoice to the valve problem. The referee overruled Capital Fire's objection and considered Piatelli's testimony and the invoice but declined to award any damages in connection with the valve problem. Although he stated no findings on this issue, the referee apparently found Piatelli's testimony insufficient to link the invoice to the valve problem. In the absence of any other evidence, we cannot say that the referee erred in declining to award damages to compensate for the cost of repairing the telephone system.