Saban Wins Condo Water Damage Lawsuit in Miami-Dade
Case Background
This case arose from a water intrusion incident at a high-end condominium building in Aventura, Florida. The Plaintiff, Saveway C.V., a foreign corporation and property owner at Turnberry Village, filed suit against Miami resident Haim Cohen Saban. The conflict centred on a botched plumbing repair conducted in Saban’s penthouse unit. The flooding allegedly damaged Saveway’s property and belongings. The case proceeded to trial in May 2025 in Miami-Dade County, where the Plaintiff sought damages for negligence, vicarious liability, and negligent hiring.
The cause that led to the legal dispute
The events began on March 31, 2019, when Saban decided to fix a pipe inside his condominium unit. Instead of hiring a licensed contractor or notifying building maintenance as required, he brought in a day labourer to assist with the repair. According to the complaint, the work was done improperly, resulting in significant water leakage. The water spread beyond Saban’s unit, flowing into the hallway and eventually reaching Saveway C.V.’s unit. The Plaintiff alleged that this careless repair job triggered extensive damage to their premises and personal property.
Injuries suffered
Saveway reported serious water damage to its unit, including personal property losses. The extent of the destruction was not limited to cosmetic issues but allegedly involved substantial interior deterioration, likely including flooring, furniture, and fixtures. The Plaintiff claimed the damage had been made worse by a delay in notification by the property management company, which failed to alert them promptly of the flooding. By the time Saveway learned of the issue, the water had already caused more extensive losses.
Damages sought
The Plaintiff sought compensatory damages for property damage, cleanup, and restoration costs. They also claimed losses stemming from business interruption and long-term repair needs. Although the exact figure was not disclosed in the verdict form, the complaint confirmed that the amount in controversy exceeded $15,000. Saveway also requested attorney’s fees and litigation costs.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
The case turned largely on whether Haim Saban’s repair actions constituted legal negligence, and if so, whether those actions caused Saveway's damages. The jury also had to decide if Joseph Angelo, the day labourer, was Saban’s agent and whether Saban could be held liable for negligent hiring. Another issue was whether Turnberry Village South Condominium Association, Inc. shared any blame for the water damage.
The Plaintiff argued that Saban ignored protocol and knowingly hired unqualified help. They painted the repair as haphazard and unauthorised, leading directly to the flooding. In contrast, the defense denied all wrongdoing. They argued that the flooding may have resulted from unforeseeable events or the actions of third parties outside Saban’s control. They also pointed fingers at the property’s management and claimed the Plaintiff failed to mitigate damages.
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Saveway C.V.
· Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Michael Beharry
Defendant(s): Haim Cohen Saban
· Counsel for Defendant(s): David C. LaValle
Key Arguments by Counsel
Plaintiff’s attorney Michael Beharry emphasised that Saban disregarded condominium regulations by conducting repairs without approval and using unqualified labour. He stressed that Saban’s decisions directly caused the water intrusion and that prompt action could have limited the damage.
In response, defense attorney David LaValle argued that Saban was not the legal cause of the damage and that other actors, including building maintenance and possibly the Plaintiff themselves, shared the blame. He challenged the credibility of the causal chain and raised multiple affirmative defenses, including contributory negligence, failure to mitigate, and excessive remediation costs.
Claims Asserted
Negligence
The Plaintiff accused Saban of negligently attempting plumbing work without proper knowledge or skill. They claimed this careless action resulted in damage to their property.
Vicarious Liability
Saveway argued that the day labourer, Joseph Angelo, worked under Saban’s direction and that Saban was legally responsible for Angelo’s conduct.
Negligent Hiring
The Plaintiff further alleged that Saban was negligent in hiring an unlicensed, untrained worker to perform a sensitive plumbing task in a multi-unit building, posing foreseeable risks to others.
Defense Arguments
The defense denied all liability. Saban’s counsel argued that the complaint failed to state a claim, and even if damage occurred, it was due to third-party actions or circumstances beyond Saban’s control. They claimed that Saveway did not act promptly to prevent additional damage and sought damages that were excessive or speculative. They also argued that the property management company and its delayed response were significant contributing factors.
Jury Verdict
The jury returned a mixed but ultimately defense-favourable verdict on May 21, 2025. They found no negligence on the part of Haim Cohen Saban.
On the issue of affirmative defenses, the jury concluded that Turnberry Village South Condominium Association, Inc. was negligent and that its conduct contributed to the Plaintiff’s damages. However, they did not assign any percentage of liability to any party, nor did they award damages.
As a result, the final verdict was in favour of Defendant Haim Cohen Saban, with the Plaintiff receiving no compensation.