On behalf of Kammholz Law PLLC posted in Wrongful Death on Thursday, March 13, 2014.
People all over New York and around the country were taken aback earlier this week when an explosion, apparently brought on by a natural gas leak, collapsed two buildings in East Harlem. At least seven people were confirmed dead, and officials said that up to 60 other people were injured, some critically. Up to five people were reported as missing. The explosion took out a church, a piano repair store and more than a dozen apartments. The pastor of the church said that four of his congregants were killed in the explosion, which took place shortly before 9 a.m. Wednesday. It seems likely that family members of at least some of the people who lost their lives will consider a wrongful death lawsuit. Tenants said that they had complained to their landlord about a strong natural gas smell. One man said that one of his fellow tenants broke the door to the roof in order to ventilate the building because of the overwhelming smell. He described it as being so powerful that it made him want to walk out of the building as soon as he walked in. Despite these allegations, the gas utility company said one complaint of gas odors had been recorded as coming from either building, and that was almost a year ago. The block was checked as part of a routine survey just a few weeks ago, and workers found nothing out of the ordinary. Whenever someone is injured or killed because of the actions — or inaction — of another party, they or their families might be able to receive compensation. An experienced wrongful death attorney can aid people who find themselves in these sorts of situations. Source: USA Today, “7th body found in ruins of East Harlem buildings,” Yamiche Alcindor and Doug Stanglin, March 13, 2014