Couple whose home was damaged during Ballantyne house explosion sues State Farm

CHARLOTTE — A couple whose home was badly damaged when a Ballantyne house exploded is now suing their insurance provider.

Investigators said a natural gas leak caused the deadly explosion on James Jack Lane back in July 2019. The body of 58-year-old Rania Karam was recovered from the debris and her husband, Dr. Jebran Karam, was seriously hurt.

Their next-door neighbor, Richard Campe, caught the explosion on his security camera and shared the video with Channel 9. Now, Campe and his wife are suing State Farm, saying the company owes them more money than what it paid them.

Richard Campe caught the explosion on his security camera. (Richard Campe)

In the suit, the couple claimed the blast knocked portions of their home off its foundation by 4 feet and ultimately, it had to be destroyed. We spoke with Campe just days after the initial damage.

“We came here yesterday to meet with the insurance company and she just broke down in tears in the driveway,” Richard Campe said. “It just all of a sudden, after the intensity of everything, it just -- ‘boom’ -- all of a sudden happened at once.”

[ PREVIOUS: Security camera video shows moment Ballantyne home exploded ]

The lawsuit says that to date, State Farm has paid the couple nearly $1.8 million. But the Campes said the company has refused to provide coverage for all of their losses and damages.

The suit also claims that State Farm’s conduct forced the couple to pay $15,000 more in mortgage payments than they should have been required to pay.

The lawsuits says their insurance policy should have covered everything. Now, the couple is demanding a jury trial.

Channel 9 reached out to State Farm for comment, but we have not heard back at this point.

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(WATCH BELOW: Fire Marshal: ‘Interior gas leak’ most likely caused Ballantyne house explosion)

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