By: Derek Hawkins//November 21, 2017//
WI Court of Appeals – District IV
Case Name: Amber Steinmetz, et al. v. Wesley Clendenning, et al.
Case No.: 2016AP1436
Officials: Lundsten, P.J., Sherman and Kloppenburg, JJ.
Focus: Insurance – Negligence Claim
Amber and Christopher Steinmetz appeal from a judgment in favor of their former landlord, Wesley Clendenning and Clendenning’s insurer, Baraboo Mutual Insurance Company (collectively, Clendenning), entered after a jury trial on the Steinmetzes’ negligence claim against Clendenning. The Steinmetzes brought suit against Clendenning after the apartment building they resided in was totally destroyed in a fire, asserting causes of action for negligence and, separately, for damages under WIS. STAT. § 704.07(2)1 and WIS. ADMIN. CODE § ATCP 134.09(7). The circuit court entered summary judgment in favor of Clendenning on the § 704.07(2) and § ATCP 134.09(7) claims, and the negligence claim was tried to a jury, which returned a verdict in favor of Clendenning on the negligence claim. For the reasons discussed below, we affirm.