Katten secured a significant pro bono victory on behalf of a Dallas-area Army veteran in his seventies, who sought legal assistance from Katten when he and his wife were stranded in temporary housing after a contractor refused to complete critical repair work at their home. The firm's representation, undertaken through the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program (DVAP), culminated in a recovery of nearly $100,000 against the contractor who walked off the job.
In February 2021, Winter Storm Uri devastated communities across Texas, freezing water lines, collapsing the state's electrical grid and causing extensive residential property damage. Among those affected was Katten's client, whose family home of many years had sustained catastrophic water damage. As a result, he and his wife lost irreplaceable belongings and were forced into temporary housing.
Relying on insurance coverage, the couple hired the contractor, who assured them that they would be back in their home within months. Instead, after receiving substantial insurance proceeds designated for repairs, the contractor abandoned the project, leaving the house uninhabitable and the client and his wife permanently displaced.
Katten filed suit against the contractor and its principal in Dallas County. After more than a year of litigation, the case was resolved the night before trial, with the contractor agreeing to pay more than 2.5 times the amounts taken from the client under the original repair contract.
"This was a true team effort and a great outcome for a deserving family," said Litigation Partner Ted Huffman. "I am proud to be part of a firm that supports pro bono representation with the dedication that was put into this matter. When initially accepting the case through DVAP, we did not know the course it would take. But through the hard work of multiple associates and team members on the file — including one who had the opportunity to take her first deposition — this matter was resolved favorably in a true team victory. We have been privileged to know and obtain some form of justice for this great client and his family."