Three Lawsuits Filed Over Fall River Assisted Living Fire Killing 10

Multiple lawsuits have been filed against the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, following a deadly fire on July 13 that killed 10 residents and injured at least 30 others. The lawsuits, including one filed by survivor Alvaro Vieira, accuse the facility and its owner, Dennis Etzkorn, as well as Fire Systems Inc., of negligence and numerous safety violations such as the lack of an emergency preparedness plan, absence of fire drills and training, and non-functional fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and fire pumps. Investigations suggest the fire may have been caused by either an oxygen concentrator failure or improper disposal of smoking materials, with the facility allegedly failing to enforce smoking policies despite the presence of medical oxygen that accelerated the fire's spread. Additional claims highlight that an elevator had been broken for over eight months and that oversized air conditioners blocked potential emergency exits. The tragedy has prompted state officials, including Fire Marshal Jon Davine and Governor Maura Healey, to emphasize the dangers of smoking near oxygen and to initiate safety measures for assisted living facilities. These legal actions underscore ongoing concerns about resident safety and accountability in elder care settings.