A Los Angeles lawsuit filed this fall has thrust Public Storage into the spotlight for reasons the self-described “America’s storage leader” would likely prefer to avoid. Maxx Jerome, a veteran entertainment consultant and photojournalist with four decades in the industry, is suing the company for $10 million after a rodent infestation at one of its facilities allegedly destroyed irreplaceable professional archives and family heirlooms.
The complaint, filed September 5 in Los Angeles County Superior Court under case number 25STCV 26031, names Public Storage CEO Joseph Russell Jr. and several other executives. Jerome alleges the company failed to address a persistent rodent problem despite repeated complaints and photographic evidence, resulting in the loss of original film negatives, celebrity interview tapes, press credentials, and personal items inherited from his late mother.
More Than Just Storage Units
What makes this case particularly notable is what was lost. Jerome’s collection represented more than 40 years of work in sports and entertainment, including materials from every major Hollywood studio and documentation from over 30 Academy Awards ceremonies. For someone whose career has spanned that many touchpoints in the entertainment industry, the professional archive destruction represents an unrecoverable loss of cultural documentation.
According to the lawsuit, Public Storage offered a $5,000 settlement, representing less than 0.05% of the claimed damages. The six causes of action include property damage, breach of contract, gross negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligence resulting in personal injury, and punitive damages under California Civil Code Section 3294.
A Pattern of Problems?
Jerome’s legal team has indicated this case is currently under review by the Justice Department for potential class action status. The lawsuit alleges that thousands of customers nationwide have reported similar issues with storage facility pest control failures, suggesting a systemic problem rather than an isolated incident.
Public Storage, co-founded by the late B. Wayne Hughes Sr., a major University of Southern California benefactor, has faced prior lawsuits and consumer complaints over pest infestations, water damage, and security failures at facilities across the country. The company has not publicly commented on the pending litigation.
For Jerome, who describes himself as a fellow USC Trojan, the connection to the university made the situation particularly frustrating. “This isn’t about money alone,” he stated in a press release. “It’s about accountability.”
The case raises questions about the storage industry’s liability when basic facility maintenance fails. As more people rely on commercial storage solutions for everything from business archives to family treasures, the outcome could have implications beyond this single plaintiff. Jerome has encouraged others who have experienced similar losses to contact their state attorney general or the U.S. Department of Justice.
The lawsuit seeks $10 million plus punitive damages and is currently pending in Los Angeles Superior Court.
