Wrongful Death Case: $2 Million Settlement Reached in Tragic Bronx Psychiatric Facility Fire

Wrongful Death – Pain and Suffering: An inpatient resident of a New York State owned psychiatric facility in Bronx, New York was caused to be set on fire by a cigarette lighter she brought back into her room, which is considered contraband that was prohibited from possessing on her person or in her room. As a result of the fire, she suffered burns to over half of her total body surface area and underwent several surgeries requiring skin grafting and debridement, which ultimately resulted in her death over five months later. Her sisters were appointed administrators of the estate while Defendants denied responsibility and blamed the patient for lighting herself on fire. After obtaining surveillance videos and deposing all of the employees involved in the patient’s care, the case settled for $2,000,000 while preparing for trial in the NYS Court of Claims.