Family Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit After Explosion in Apartment Kills Florida Woman
The widower and children of an Orlando woman recently reached a settlement with Woodhill Apartments regarding a fatal explosion that occurred at the victim’s residence. According to the lawsuit, the decedent was severely burned in an explosion in her unit. Investigators later discovered an uncapped and unplugged gas line in the apartment’s laundry room. Other residents of Woodhill Apartments had reportedly complained about the smell of gas and other evidence of unsafe gas lines for several years before the decedent was killed.
The decedent’s husband filed a lawsuit on behalf of himself, his wife, and their three minor children on March 8, 2024 against the property’s owner, manager, and the gas utility, alleging that the uncapped gas line led to the explosion and the decedent’s injuries. The decedent died two days after the complaint was filed, and the lawsuit was amended to include allegations of wrongful death.
In the original complaint, the plaintiff requested a jury trial and damages exceeding $75,000 from the Dallas-based property manager Highmark Residential, Florida-based property owner SPT WAH Woodhill, and the Winter Garden, a Florida-based Lake Apopka Natural Gas District gas utility.
Elements of negligence
The plaintiff’s lawsuit alleged that the property owner and manager had not properly inspected the unit for safety violations before they moved new tenants into the residence. They further contended that the defendants failed to respond to complaints made by other tenants concerning issues with the building’s gas lines and never notified Lake Apopka Natural Gas District about the issue. The suit also alleges that the Lake Apopka Natural Gas District failed to ensure the safety of the building’s gas supply or properly inspect the units following myriad complaints.
Following mediation, the plaintiffs received two settlements in undisclosed amounts. One was approved on July 15 while the other was approved on October 17, according to court documents. The first settlement is structured to be paid to the victim’s children in annual installments and managed by a guardian ad litem.
On September 24, following the first settlement, the plaintiff dismissed their complaint against Highmark Residential and SPT WAH Woodhill with prejudice. At the time of the second settlement, Lake Apopka remained a party to the suit.
None of the named defendants responded to requests for comment on the case’s resolution. The family has signed the nondisclosure agreement to facilitate the settling of the case. In March, Lake Apopka Natural Gas District told the press that it had conducted an examination of its distribution system, procedures, and operational practices, and found no evidence that its infrastructure or operations were a factor in the accident.
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Florin Gray represents the interests of plaintiffs in wrongful death claims filed against negligent defendants. Call our Tampa wrongful death lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your case right away.
