Lexington Insurance Company has taken legal action against a musical instrument manufacturer, alleging negligence and breach of contract after a fire caused significant damage to a property in San Francisco. The complaint was filed on February 13, 2025, in the Superior Court of California for the County of San Francisco against Joseph Luttwak, Blackbird Guitars LLC, and Lingrove Inc.
The case centers around an incident that occurred on October 29, 2023, at 2180 Folsom Street. Lexington Insurance Company claims that its insured, Busvan Storage & Unclaimed Household Goods Sales Co., Inc., suffered extensive property damage due to a fire allegedly ignited by the defendants' negligence. According to the complaint, the defendants were leasing the subject property from Busvan Storage & Unclaimed Household Goods Sales Co., Inc. when an amplifier left unattended on a wooden worktable caught fire. The plaintiff asserts that this oversight violated California Health and Safety Code section 13007, which holds individuals liable for damages caused by fires they negligently set or allowed to spread.
Lexington Insurance Company argues that the defendants failed in their duty to exercise reasonable care to prevent such incidents. The complaint states: "Defendants knew or should have known that the failure to take fire-preventative measures... would increase the risk of fire." It further alleges that the defendants did not manage or supervise their equipment properly and neglected necessary precautions against fire hazards.
In addition to negligence, Lexington Insurance Company accuses the defendants of breaching their lease agreement. The insurance company claims that under Section 8.1 of their lease/sublease agreement signed on November 21, 2020, the defendants were obligated to indemnify and hold harmless Busvan Storage & Unclaimed Household Goods Sales Co., Inc. for any damages arising from their use of the premises. By failing to do so following the fire incident, Lexington contends that they breached this contractual obligation.
As a result of these alleged actions and omissions by the defendants, Lexington Insurance Company seeks monetary damages totaling $1,176,926.00—an amount inclusive of costs related to repair and replacement but exclusive of prejudgment interest and legal fees. They also request additional relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing Lexington Insurance Company are attorneys Jordan Everakes and David Kestenbaum from Grotefeld Hoffmann law firm. The case is presided over by Judge [Name] under Case ID CGC-25-622293.