Community
First wrongful death lawsuit filed concerning fatal Gabriel House fire in Fall River
A lawsuit was filed late Thursday in Fall River Superior Court concerning a fatal Fall River fire.
According to the Boston Globe, the family of Margaret Duddy, one of the 10 victims who perished in the devastating July 13th fire at the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River, has filed the first wrongful death lawsuit related to the incident.
Duddy, a 69-year-old resident affectionately known as “Peggy,” died from injuries sustained in the blaze, which authorities have deemed accidental but potentially linked to a combination of medical oxygen and smoking materials in a second-floor room.
James Duddy of Manchester, New Hampshire, who is Margaret’s son and serves as the personal representative of her estate, is suing Gabriel Care LLC (the entity owning and operating the facility), Dennis Etzkorn and Karen Etzkorn of Medfield (owners), and Fire Systems, Inc., a Dartmouth-based company responsible for inspecting, maintaining, and ensuring compliance of the facility’s fire alarm and safety systems.
The suit accuses the defendants of gross negligence and reckless conduct, asserting that Gabriel House failed in multiple critical areas, including proper management, staffing, maintenance, and supervision.
Specific allegations include unenforced residency rules (e.g., smoking bans, especially hazardous given residents’ use of oxygen), inadequate staff training, the absence of effective emergency response procedures, and possible issues with the fire safety systems.
Relief sought includes punitive damages, compensation for Duddy’s pain and suffering, medical expenses, and other losses.
The lawsuit follows several others that have been filed recently.
Third lawsuit filed in wake of Gabriel House fire in Fall River that killed 10
Victim of fatal Fall River fire files lawsuit against operator of Gabriel House
