Nearly two years after a Quincy fire at a basement apartment claimed the lives of Oudah Moshah Frawi, 9, and his sons Ali Oudah Frawi, 1, and Hassan Frawi, 2 months, landlords Jason Huang and Andy Huang have been convicted of manslaughter over their deaths. The Norfolk Superior Court jury also convicted the brothers of wanton or reckless violation of state building codes. The Huangs are facing up to 20 years in prison.
The blaze started in the basement apartment where the family’s sofa caught fire. Also injured in the fire was Terri Knight, who was Frawi’s wife and the mother of the two boys. She sustained severe burn injuries to her hand. It wasn’t until three weeks after she was admitted to a hospital, when she woke up from a coma, that she found out her family had perished.
Authorities say that the apartment had been illegally built and lacked a proper escape route and smoke detectors. The building also had four utility meters, even though there were apartment units, and was illegally wired.
Knight later filed a $10M Quincy wrongful death lawsuit against Andy Huang and his wife accusing them of negligent maintenance and other careless acts that are grounds for a Massachusetts premises liability case.
Landlords that fail to make a building safe for tenants can be held liable for Boston premises liability in the event of a fire. Failure to install smoke detectors or fire alarms, establish proper exits, properly maintain electrical wiring, and abide by local, state, and federal safety codes are just some of the reasons why a tenant or his/her family might file a Massachusetts personal injury or wrongful death complaint.
Landlords convicted in blaze, Boston Herald, January 28, 2012
Quincy grocer sues lamp manufacturer in fire that killed man, 2 young sons, Patriot Ledger, July 3, 2010
More Blog Posts:
Quincy Wrongful Death Lawsuit Seeks $10 Million Over Deadly Blaze Inside Illegal Apartment, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, April 14, 2009
Seven Boston University Students Injured in Allston Apartment Fire, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, January 22, 2012
Worcester Building that Collapsed During Fire, Killing One Firefighter and Injuring Another, May Have Been Poorly Maintained, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, December 10, 2012
In Massachusetts, speak to a Boston injury lawyer about your case as soon as possible.