Collin County Jury Awards $1.9M in Rat Infestation Suit

A jury in Collin County recently sided with a construction staffing company that was seeking lost profits it incurred after an allegedly unaddressed rodent infestation in the leased Plano building it occupied forced it to move locations. 

The jury, which was seated Feb. 12 in Collin County District Judge Andrea K. Bouressa’s courtroom and rendered its verdict Feb. 16, was tasked with deciding whether Harris Ventures — doing business as Staff Zone — or landlord JM-RB Properties violated the lease agreement, and who was entitled to damages. JM-RB was seeking to recover about $15,000 in unpaid rent and $120,000 in attorney fees, while Staff Zone asked the jury to award about $1.3 million in lost profits and $450,000 in attorney fees.