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$29 Million Award in Fresno Fire for Family of TenantsFriday, July 18, 2008
Relatives of a 19 year old man, his fiancee, their two month old daughter and her two siblings The Fresno Bee reported who died in an apartment fire in July 2007, received an arbitration award of $29,000,000. The verdict was one of the largest in Kings County history.
The verdict was against Lenmore Real Estate and Property Management.
The evidence showed the Lenmore knew that most of the units did not have smoke detectors installed 6 months prior to the fire. The owner settled out of the case for $1 million prior to the arbitration. The case was assigned to an arbitrator out of Southern California, Judge Daniel Pratt, who was retired.
"Pratt ruled in favor of the plaintiffs after hearing one day of testimony from Lemoore residents, firefighters and investigators. Pratt also viewed photographs of the plaintiffs who cried as they stood helpless outside the burning units" according to the Fresno Bee.
"Pratt awarded Poliquit and Mattison $4 million each in damages for the loss of their daughter, Michell, and their granddaughter, Hayden. Bernadette Faubion also received $4 million for the loss of her son, Derik, and her granddaughter, Hayden. The judge also gave Poliquit and Bisnar $2 million each in damages for the loss of their children, Ariel and Lexus. In addition, Poliquit received $5 million in damages for emotional distress for witnessing the fatal fire. Bisnar and Mattison and Bernadette Faubion received $2 million each, and Sue and Duncan Faubion received $1 million each for emotional distress."
The verdict was against Lenmore Real Estate and Property Management.
The evidence showed the Lenmore knew that most of the units did not have smoke detectors installed 6 months prior to the fire. The owner settled out of the case for $1 million prior to the arbitration. The case was assigned to an arbitrator out of Southern California, Judge Daniel Pratt, who was retired.
"Pratt ruled in favor of the plaintiffs after hearing one day of testimony from Lemoore residents, firefighters and investigators. Pratt also viewed photographs of the plaintiffs who cried as they stood helpless outside the burning units" according to the Fresno Bee.
"Pratt awarded Poliquit and Mattison $4 million each in damages for the loss of their daughter, Michell, and their granddaughter, Hayden. Bernadette Faubion also received $4 million for the loss of her son, Derik, and her granddaughter, Hayden. The judge also gave Poliquit and Bisnar $2 million each in damages for the loss of their children, Ariel and Lexus. In addition, Poliquit received $5 million in damages for emotional distress for witnessing the fatal fire. Bisnar and Mattison and Bernadette Faubion received $2 million each, and Sue and Duncan Faubion received $1 million each for emotional distress."
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