Reminger Secures Defense Verdict In Highly Publicized Pizza Oven Nuisance Case

Samuel Meadows and Nicholas Siciliano were retained by an insurer to defend a family who built a wood-fired pizza oven in the backyard of their Cleveland Heights, Ohio home. The plaintiffs, residents of a neighboring apartment building alleged that the smoke from the pizza oven invaded their property and home resulting in pain and discomfort, loss of use, and diminished property value. After years of feuding, the plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against our clients, seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

After a four-day trial, the jury returned a defense verdict in favor of our clients, agreeing that their use of the pizza oven did not constitute a private nuisance.

The trial was highly publicized by local media sources, including Cleveland.com, Cleveland Scene, Channel 19 News, and Fox 8 News. WKYC News live-streamed Samuel’s opening statements and Nicholas’ cross-examination of the plaintiff. Fox 8 News also aired a portion of Samuel's closing statements. Legal podcaster, Steve Lehto, also documented the case on YouTube (Part 1, Part 2).