Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has filed multiple lawsuits against companies accused of taking advantage of homeowners during the state’s storm response.
The lawsuits target TimberCut Tree Experts, LLC; Shade Tree Service Co.; Garrison McKinney Tree and Bridge; Storm Support Emergency Tree Removal, LLC; and David Foster.
Rokita said his office is focused on cases involving what he considers the most egregious conduct, including excessive charges, misleading contracts and false representations about insurance coverage.
“We’re not in the business, we can’t be in the business, we don’t have the budget to be in the business of weighing disputes between you and your contractor,” Rokita said.
Instead, he said investigators are prioritizing cases where contractors appear to have taken advantage of vulnerable homeowners.
Rokita cited one case involving an elderly woman who was charged $40,000 to remove several trees from her property.
“Charging an old lady $40,000 to remove a couple trees, OK, $40,000 to remove a couple trees, and I don’t care if they needed a crane or not, in Indiana that’s not $40,000,” Rokita said.
Rokita said the woman told the contractor the bill would take all of her retirement savings. The contractor then lowered the price to $35,000.
“That’s what I’m going after,” Rokita said.
Rokita also accused contractors of using incomplete contracts and making misleading statements about insurance coverage. He said some homeowners were told their insurance companies would cover contractors’ bills, even though the homeowner is ultimately responsible for the contract.
“They’re not contracted with your insurance company. You are,” Rokita said.
Rokita said insurance companies may refuse to pay excessive charges or only agree to pay what they consider a reasonable amount for the work.
The attorney general said the investigation began in Lake County but could expand as his office receives more complaints from other parts of the state.
“I don’t think one area of the state may be more vulnerable than another,” Rokita said.
Rokita said his goal is to stop deceptive practices before more homeowners are harmed.
“My goal from getting on the ground as the rain was just falling is to stop this from happening in the first place,” Rokita said.
