Minnesota Family Blames Poor Construction, Not Tornado, for Death

January 13, 2009

The family of a 10-year-old girl who died in a 2006 tornado in Rogers is blaming a homebuilder for the girl's death.

In a wrongful death lawsuit in Hennepin County District Court, the family of Jaymi Wendt claims poor construction, not the tornado, is to blame for the girl's death. Attorney Patrick Sauter says Jaymi's death might have been prevented if the house's foundation was more sound.

Court proceedings were scheduled to begin Monday.

Jaymi died at her neighbor's house in the Sept. 16, 2006, tornado. The house was built by Monarch Homes Inc.

A spokesperson for Monarch Homes declined to comment. Two other companies are listed as defendants.

The tornado injured six other people and damaged 340 houses.

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Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com