Grandparents Sue Over Granddaughter’s Death
Grandparents who moved to the United States from Africa in 2004 to save their granddaughter’s life have file a wrongful death lawsuit against their former landlord over her death in a fire in 2009.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the 10-year-old died from smoke inhalation the day following the fire and the grandparents were in comas for months with severe burns. They are now disabled from their injuries.
The lawsuit states the windows in their second floor apartment were not able to be opened either because they were designed that way or they were sealed or painted shut, leaving the three people no way to escape the fire.
The fire started when a man with a mental disorder andwho lived in their building passed out with a lit cigarette.
The lawsuit states the landlord should have ensured the windows would opened and should have cautioned them about their neighbor who has a history of starting fires.
The landlord claims the apartment complied with city codes and had passed inspection.
Labels: African Immigrants, Iowa House Fire, Smoke InhalationPosted by 3:23 pm