Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Ohio

I am being sued by my former landlord. He is suing me for damages done to the rental property. (the said damages include :a pipe broke/froze and water was covering the first story, a drier was damaged, etc.) he is suing me for $15,000, even though the property was fixed and the landlord was re-embursed by his insurance company. His lawyer sent me something stating I must reply to the charge against me by 10/01/2009 or else further legal action will be taken. Here is the twist. Me and my boyfriend moved into the said property in 8/07, we signed a 1 year lease. However, after the 1 year lease was up, we continued to reside at the property, without ever re-signing a new lease agreement. In 10/08 me and my boyfriend split up, I moved back home with my parents and have resided here ever since.( my son recieves SSI from the Gov't. and I have proof I changed my address to reside at my parents house in 10/08) My boyfriend stayed at the rental and when he moved out is when I started recieving these letters from my landlord telling me to appear in court. I did face a judge and once he saw my proof that I no longer lived at the property when it was damaged he cleared me of all charges. Now, my landlord sent my another notice, from his lawyer, saying that even though i was not residing at the residence, I am still responsible for the damages, based upon the fact we had a 'verbal' rental agreement. I, personally, never had a verbal agreement, My boyfriend may have made that deal, but I never did. What do i do know? Should I seek legal representation?

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