The parents of 20-year-old Michela Gregory and 23-year-old Griffin Madden filed suit against the owner and operators of a converted warehouse that caught fire on December 2, 2016. Ms. Gregory and Mr. Madden died, along with several others.
The warehouse, known as the Oakland Ghost Ship, caught fire during an electronic music event. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives found that there were no sprinklers in the building and that neither of the two stairwells led to an exit. The suit alleges that the electrical system often released sparks, and circuit breakers were known to blow out because of overloaded electrical lines. The suit claims the Oakland Ghost Ship was a “death trap” with inadequate fire safety systems and no safe path from the second-floor, where the music event was, to the ground-floor, which is where the exit is located.
ATF investigators have yet to identify the cause of the fire. However, ATF has found that the fire originated near a downstairs wall towards the back of the warehouse and spread quickly through the building. The people upstairs were likely overwhelmed with smoke before they had a chance to escape.
When someone is injured or dies in an accident, financial recovery may be available. Such recovery is particularly important when permanent, life changing injuries are incurred. It is important to contact someone who understands the intricacies of the injured party’s right to recover.
Abraham Watkins offers a free consultation to anyone wishing to pursue a claim for such injuries or fatalities.