Pittsburgh Family Demands Accountability After Mitigation Contractor Leaves Home Contaminated

Insurance company State Farm denies roof damage claim and additional living expenses amid lead and asbestos exposure.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:39pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a cracked and peeling paint can, repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the hazardous conditions left in a Pittsburgh family's home after a mitigation contractor's work.A pop art-inspired illustration captures the contamination and damage left behind by a mitigation contractor's sloppy work in a Pittsburgh family's home.Today in Pittsburgh

A Pittsburgh family is calling for accountability after a mitigation contractor hired by their insurance company, State Farm, allegedly exposed their home to lead and asbestos during repair work. The family claims the contractor tore into their home without proper testing or safeguards, leading to widespread contamination throughout the house. They are now living in an Airbnb while waiting for test results and demanding that State Farm cover their additional living expenses and properly remediate the hazardous conditions.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of proper protocols and safety measures when it comes to home repair work, especially in older homes that may contain hazardous materials like lead and asbestos. It also raises questions about insurance companies' responsibilities in ensuring their contractors follow best practices to protect homeowners from exposure to dangerous substances.

The details

After an ice dam caused water damage in their Pittsburgh home, the Hubbard family says a mitigation contractor hired by their insurance provider, State Farm, tore out three rooms without proper testing or containment. This led to the entire home becoming contaminated with lead and asbestos, according to the family and their public adjuster. The demolition work left the Hubbards sleeping on a blow-up mattress and all falling ill with respiratory issues. Despite the family's requests, State Farm allegedly refused to provide the results of any lead or asbestos tests conducted prior to the work and has denied the family's roof damage claim and additional living expenses.

  • On January 2023, an ice dam caused water damage in the Hubbard family's home.
  • On February 16, 2023, the mitigation contractor hired by State Farm began demolition work on the home.
  • In the weeks following the demolition, the Hubbard family began experiencing health issues and contacted a public adjuster.
  • As of April 2023, the Hubbard family has moved out of their home and into an Airbnb while waiting for test results on the lead and asbestos exposure.

The players

Camie Hubbard

A Pittsburgh resident whose home was damaged by an ice dam and then further contaminated by a mitigation contractor hired by her insurance company, State Farm.

Stephen Hnat

The president of Stephen Hnat and Associates of Public Adjusters, who was hired by the Hubbard family to advocate on their behalf with State Farm.

State Farm

The insurance company that hired the mitigation contractor to repair the Hubbard family's home, but has since denied their roof damage claim and requests for additional living expenses.

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What they’re saying

“We want our house put back together. We've been here almost 22 years. We want to come home, but we don't feel safe.”

— Camie Hubbard, Pittsburgh Resident

“Proper protocol is that any house built before 1977 should have a lead test done before any kind of demo. It concerned me because everything was everywhere and goes the same thing for the asbestos that they should have an asbestos test done before any demo starts.”

— Stephen Hnat, President, Stephen Hnat and Associates of Public Adjusters

What’s next

The Hubbard family is waiting for the results of lead and asbestos tests, as well as blood work and X-rays, to determine the full extent of the contamination in their home. They are continuing to press State Farm to cover their additional living expenses and properly remediate the hazardous conditions.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of insurance companies and their contractors following proper safety protocols, especially when working on older homes that may contain hazardous materials. It also underscores the need for homeowners to be vigilant and advocate for their rights when dealing with insurance claims and home repairs.