wrongful death
Greg Prosmushkin
Aug 15, 2019

It is every parent’s worst nightmare – that their children are Not Safe at Daycare. If you have seen the news over the last few days, you have undoubtedly seen the stories coming out of Erie, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Wrongful Death Lawyer at The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C. want to discuss this case with you today.

The Harris Family Daycare in Erie, a licensed daycare operated out of a residential home, Caught on Fire and killed four siblings as well as the child of the daycare owner on August 12. This is an unimaginable tragedy that has left families and the community searching for answers.

This investigation is still ongoing, but we have learned that the daycare did not have enough smoke detectors, according to Erie Fire Chief Guy Santone. He said that investigators only located one smoke detector in the house and it was in the attic.

  • State regulations for daycares say that there should have been one smoke detector on each floor of the two-story home.

This daycare has been inspected annually by the PA Department of Human Services. The DHS fire-safety checks include:

  • Exits
  • Space heaters
  • Fireplaces
  • Wood and coal stoves

However, DHS Press Secretary Erin James said that “the current regulations do not allow for citing a childcare facility for compliance with fire safety codes including the presence and functionality of smoke detectors.”

Chief Santone says that they do conduct inspections of daycare centers, but that the Harris Family Daycare was exempted due to a loophole that allowed this to be bypassed for facilities established before 2004. He is calling for changes in the law to close all loopholes that allow this type of thing to happen.

Wrongful Death Cases Can Become Complex

Wrongful death cases in Pennsylvania arise with someone is killed due to the negligence, carelessness, or intentional acts of another individual, company, or entity. These cases are brought by the deceased’s family members or their estate. Some of the most common types of wrongful death cases include:

  • Drunk Driving Crashes
  • Workplace Incidents
  • Medical Malpractice Cases
  • Defective Products
  • Criminal Activity
  • And more

These cases can become complex and require a thorough investigation by an attorney and their legal teams. This recent daycare case may very well end up in the courts. We will keep you updated as the investigation moves along.

We can help you Respond to the Situation

If you have lost a loved one due to the carelessness or negligence of another person, business, or entity, please seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C., we are ready to get to work on your case today. Let our knowledgeable and experienced team investigate what happened so we can secure the compensation you deserve. This can include:

  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Cost of pre-death medical care
  • Loss of future income and benefits of the deceased
  • Mental anguish damages
  • Loss of consortium or companionship damages
  • Punitive damages against those responsible

When you need a Daycare Injury Lawyer in Philadelphia, you can Contact Us for a Free Consultation calling at (215)-799-9990 

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