#Innewsoftheabsurd A landlord’s tenant and the tenant’s guests smoked methamphetamine in the rental unit. Testing found significant levels of methamphetamine residue in the unit and HVAC system. The landlord filed a claim for the resulting remediation, which Farmers denied under a Contaminants exclusion. The landlord then filed suit, asserting the loss was covered because it was caused by vandalism. #drugs #insurance #landlord #tenant #Oregon https://natlawreview.com/article/oregon-declares-meth-residue-contaminant-affirms-coverage-denial
fascinating. “Oregon Court of Appeals disagreed. “The word ‘vandalism’ is not defined but it is…generally defined to mean ‘willful or malicious destruction… of things…or of private property.’…no evidence was presented that the “tenant intended to cause damage to the dwelling...”
The landlord then argued the Contaminants exclusion didnt apply. The exclusion applies to the “release, discharge or dispersal of contaminants….” The Court of Appeals rejected the landlord’s argument.”
@Victor