Lawsuit Against HGTV Stars’ Companies Faces Delay Due to Tornadoes
A lawsuit initiated by Matthew and Sarah McGrath against Jupiter Rentals and Marrs Construction, companies affiliated with HGTV personalities Dave and Jenny Marrs, may face a delay due to recent damaging tornadoes in Northwest Arkansas.
Initially filed in February 2023, the lawsuit alleges that the Marrs’ firms undertook renovations on their property, only to discover various issues, including a significant safety concern with the house’s deck. The defendants claim that the McGraths declined their offers to rectify the problems.
So far, multiple attempts at court-ordered mediation have not led to a settlement. The plaintiffs petitioned the court for an extension of the discovery deadline, which was scheduled for June 24, citing the devastating impact of the Memorial Day tornadoes that left numerous businesses and homes in disarray. Contractors are expected to be exceptionally occupied for the upcoming weeks.
The McGraths proposed a new deadline of July 15 for the discovery phase. Despite their willingness to modify other deadlines if the extension is granted, the defendants have not agreed to the proposed extension. The lawsuit’s next key hearings include a pretrial session on September 5 and a five-day jury trial set to begin on September 23 at the Benton County Courthouse.
- New details regarding the lawsuit have emerged in court filings.
- The proposed extension is seen as crucial for the plaintiffs, who would face prejudice if they could not supplement their expert’s report by the deadline.
The ongoing struggles to reach a settlement are underscored by the severity of the recent natural disasters and their impact on the local construction and legal ecosystems.
