THE WORD
- Tyler Perry is stepping in to help 81-year-old Brenda Durham of Markham, Illinois.
- A burst pipe caused extensive damage to Durham’s home earlier this year.
- Allstate denied her insurance claim, citing exclusions including wear and tear, deterioration and seepage.
- A restoration company later placed a $17,827.96 lien against the property for unpaid work.
- Perry plans to pay off the lien and is also expected to help cover repairs needed to restore Durham’s home.
MARKHAM, Ill. — Tyler Perry is stepping up to help an 81-year-old Illinois woman who has been unable to return home after a burst pipe caused extensive damage to her property and an insurance dispute left her facing thousands of dollars in debt.
Brenda Durham’s story gained attention after FOX 32 Chicago reported on her struggle to return to the Markham home she has spent decades protecting.
The situation began on Valentine’s Day when a pipe underneath Durham’s kitchen sink failed, sending water throughout portions of her home.
Durham said she contacted her insurance company, Allstate, and believed the damage and necessary cleanup would be covered. Excel Fire and Water Damage Restoration Services later performed mitigation work on the property.
However, Allstate ultimately denied the insurance claim, citing policy exclusions involving wear and tear, deterioration and seepage.
The restoration company disputed that determination, arguing its observations were consistent with a sudden and accidental plumbing failure. The company also requested that Allstate reconsider its decision and explain the evidence used to determine the damage resulted from long-term seepage.
With the insurance dispute unresolved, Durham was hit with another major problem.
Excel said it was owed more than $17,000 for work performed at the home. A mechanic’s lien for $17,827.96, plus potential additional costs, was subsequently recorded against Durham’s property.
Durham told FOX 32 she could not afford the bill and described the situation as devastating. She remained unable to live in her home, which was left without running water.
But after her story began circulating online, people reportedly started tagging filmmaker and entertainment mogul Tyler Perry on social media.
Perry saw the story — and decided to help.
According to FOX 32, Perry’s public relations team contacted reporter Tia Ewing and confirmed that Perry plans to pay off the lien against Durham’s home. He is also expected to help cover repairs needed to restore the property so Durham can return home.
The news became an emotional moment for Ewing, who had originally reported Durham’s story.
At the time Perry’s offer was revealed, Durham reportedly had not yet heard the news because she was at a doctor’s appointment. Her daughter had been notified, and Ewing said she hoped to personally deliver the news to Durham.
Perry has developed a reputation over the years for stepping in to financially assist people facing difficult circumstances, sometimes without initially making those efforts public.
For Durham, his latest act of generosity could finally provide a path back to the home she has spent decades calling her own.
SOURCES
FOX 32 Chicago — Tyler Perry steps in after FOX Chicago report to help 81-year-old woman forced from home
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/fmc-q216e2xyj6qryetd
