Hodges v. Vara

ELDRIDGE, Judge.

Ralph Hodges d/b/a Industrial Marine Diesel rented the space above his repair shop to John Vara and I. J. Lee, Inc. with an indemnification agreement. The rented room caught fire through the alleged negligent acts of a social guest of Vara’s employee, and the sprinkler system allegedly negligently flooded Hodges’ shop, offices, and his spare-parts storage area, damaging his spare-parts inventory. Vara and his corporation installed and maintained the sprinkler system. Hodges sued Vara and I. J. Lee, Inc. After the jury trial, the trial court directed the verdict against Hodges…