John A. and Bonnie W. Stepan, longtime residents of Palm Beach, have filed a Demand for Arbitration against Terminix/Rentokil, alleging the company failed to remediate termite damage to their home's loggia dining room, leaving the work incomplete for six years. The arbitration complaint, filed on June 26, 2026, seeks damages for breach of contract, systemic fraud, intentional infliction of mental distress, and violations of Florida consumer protection and elder abuse statutes.
According to the complaint, the Stepans first reported termite damage in 2020, and as of the filing, the repairs remain unfinished. The couple, aged 79 and 80, have been unable to use their dining room for approximately six years. The complaint also requests punitive damages exceeding $13 million, alleging the defendants engaged in a pattern of conduct that harmed vulnerable elderly customers.
The arbitration filing details a series of alleged failures by Terminix/Rentokil. The company reportedly retained and later dismissed two previous contractors before work was completed. A third contractor, One Stop Inc. of Coral Gables, was hired to perform the remediation, but the complaint alleges that One Stop performed defective work, used improper materials, violated electrical code requirements, and failed to address additional termite damage discovered during the project. Official communications from the Town of Palm Beach were sent to a former Terminix/Rentokil contractor and were not acted upon, according to the complaint.
Attorney William D. McCann, who represents the Stepans, stated: "This company has tortured the Stepan family for years. Mr. Stepan made literally hundreds of calls to various Terminix/Rentokil personnel, only to experience no callbacks, untruthful excuses, and repeated delays regarding completion of the work." McCann further alleges that after the Stepans retained legal counsel, Terminix/Rentokil agreed to pay for complete remediation but later conditioned payment on the execution of a general release, continuing a pattern of alleged bad faith.
The complaint references another arbitration involving retired Alabama school teachers who reportedly received a $2.8 million arbitration award after alleging similar conduct by Terminix. This case highlights broader concerns about the treatment of elderly consumers by large service companies. The arbitration remains pending, and the allegations have not been adjudicated.
The implications of this case extend beyond the Stepans. If proven, the allegations suggest a systemic issue within Terminix/Rentokil's operations, potentially affecting other elderly customers who may have faced similar delays and neglect. The demand for punitive damages underscores the severity of the claims, which include elder abuse under Florida law. This case could prompt increased scrutiny of corporate practices regarding consumer protection and elder care, and may influence future regulatory actions or legislative reforms.
