The Legal Chronicle
Jonathan Rodriguez: Life Safety Negligence? Fatally Injured in Suspected Carbon Monoxide Poisoning at Student Housing in Olympia, WA. (KING5.com)
Could the tragic loss of life from this incident have been prevented and are justice and compensation available to the victim’s family and injured victims? Read Our Legal Take below to find out what legal options are available.
Local News
An incident at a student housing complex in Olympia, WA Monday night, Dec 11, 2023, tragically claimed one life and injured two others.
As reported by TheOlympian.com, “[o]ne student has died and two other students were hospitalized by suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at [a college] in Olympia Monday night.”
According to the report, “[i]t was about 8 p.m. Monday when a student residence manager couldn’t reach those inside the modular housing. An Evergreen police officer later broke down a door to the housing and attempted to revive the students, but in the process was poisoned by carbon monoxide and taken to an area hospital.”
WAFF.com is reporting, “[t]he officer and two of the students inside the unit were taken to the hospital. A third student died. He was identified as 21-year-old Jonathan Rodriguez by the Thurston County coroner. ”
The report indicates that “[i]nvestigators are focusing on a carbon monoxide alarm that went off earlier in the day, bringing a contractor out to the unit where Rodriguez died.” According to the article, a “spokesperson [for the school] said every living unit on [the school campus] has smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.” The news story, however, does not provide information on the warnings and precautions, if any, that were given to residents following the alarm.
Inspectors continue to investigate the cause.
Is Justice Available? Our Legal Take
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As authorities continue their investigation, premises liability attorneys with The Murray Law Firm question whether a lack of life safety measures at the complex may have contributed to this incident.
- What life safety measures, such as working detectors, emergency exits, and a resident warning plan, were in place and operational at the time of the incident?
- When was the last inspection performed on the property?
- Were any life safety measures added after any previous inspections?
- Was the property owner aware of any inadequate life safety measures present prior to this incident?
- After learning of any prior warnings, did the property owner take measures to properly notify and war existing residents?
As details of this incident continue to emerge, The Murray Law Firm suggests that it is possible that the apartment complex failed to undertake proper safety measures to protect those residents and guests legally on the premises. Under certain State law, the owner or management company of a residential complex have a duty to protect residents and to keep the premises safe. If the owner or manager fails in this duty, they may be held civilly liable for any injuries or wrongful deaths that occur as a consequence. Should the owner or manager of the housing unit be found at fault, the family of Jonathan Rodriguez may elect to hold the at adult parties civilly liable for their loss and suffering. In addition, any injured victims may elect to pursue individual civil claims for their injuries.
As insurance companies and unscrupulous property owners are often concerned with limiting their financial exposure in these incidents, it is crucial that the family of Jonathan Rodriguez retain an experienced premises liability firm as soon as possible to ensure all evidence, such as a faulty alarms or a poor evacuation and warning plan, is preserved and the families best interests are protected. The Murray Law Firm has extensive experience in premises liability and apartment negligence cases, such as this, and we offer our legal expertise, if needed.
If anyone has information to share, or if anyone is seeking information regarding this incident, please contact us at 888.842.1616.
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The Murray Law Firm has a long history of representing victims of property negligence. We have obtained nearly $200 Million in verdicts and settlements for our Clients, including:
- A $29.25 million dollar verdict for a victim of an unsafe property.
- Settlement in excess of $10 million dollars for a victim of gun violence at an apartment complex.
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