ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A Jacksonville homeowner has filed a lawsuit against Costco and its third-party contractor, RXO Last Mile, after an allegedly botched refrigerator installation led to extensive water damage totaling nearly $750,000.
Bradley Byrd purchased a $3,500 refrigerator from Costco and opted for the retailer’s free delivery service. Within six hours of installation, Byrd returned home to find his house sitting in inches of water due to an improperly installed water line.
“I haven’t heard anything from Costco or RXO since early May, so it’s going on five months since I’ve heard a word,” Byrd said, explaining his decision to pursue legal action.
Attorney Jack Webb, representing Byrd, characterized the situation as “glaringly negligent” and criticized the companies’ handling of the claim.
“There’s a duty to properly install the refrigerator. They didn’t do it,” Webb said. “The result was that there was catastrophic flooding, and that Mr. Byrd was ultimately required to pay, because the defendants in this matter played the cynical corporate hardball game that is, we’ll starve him to death and then offer him a settlement that is probably 20 cents on the dollar.”
MORE: News4JAX I-Team investigations
While the companies offered a $175,000 settlement, Byrd claimed the actual costs far exceed that amount, citing expenses from:
- Emergency water mitigation
- Ongoing repairs
- Property loss
- Temporary displacement
- Additional services still being billed
“We’ve had to dip into our retirement and put a lot of plans on hold,” Byrd said, noting that the total financial impact is “nearing $750,000.”
Following the incident, Byrd created a website, costcowaterdamage.com, to document his experience. The site has attracted numerous similar complaints from other customers.
“I’ve heard from dozens, maybe even hundreds, of other people who’ve contacted me through my website letting me know of similar issues,” Byrd said. “It seems to be a reoccurring theme that these companies like Costco or RXO will do the installation, there is damage, and then they offer measly amounts of money to these people in their worst of times.”
The lawsuit seeks damages, attorneys’ fees, and interest, with a request for a jury trial. Both Costco and RXO Last Mile have not responded to requests for comment on the pending litigation.