Cortland at Stonebriar apartment residents sue for more than $1 million in damages, allege faulty fire alarm and suppression system
Thirty-two residents are taking the owners of the Cortland at Stonebriar Apartment Complex in Frisco, Texas, to court today to recover in excess of $1 million in damages after fire alarms and sprinkler systems allegedly failed to engage during a fire that broke out on Wednesday, Feb. 17.
Attorneys Zeke Fortenberry and Mark Underwood filed the petition in the Collin County District Court (case number 50761734). Frisco is located in the North Dallas suburban corridor of Texas. The apartment complex is located in the 9000 block of Gaylord Parkway.
All residents of the 260-unit Cortland at Stonebriar Complex were allegedly displaced by the Feb. 17 fire that burned for over 36 hours and required the assistance of fire units from five neighboring departments to get under control, according to official reports. According to these alleged reports, 62 of the units were completely destroyed, while others were impacted by water damage.
The Cortland petition filed today alleges that despite the weather impacts in the area from a deep freeze and widespread power outages, the biggest culprit in the apartment disaster is the lack of operational fire alarms Cortland in individual units and the failure of the fire suppression sprinkler system to engage properly.
The lawsuit focuses on the alleged negligence of the apartment complex for failing to regularly inspect and maintain apartment fire alarms, as well as failing to maintain and operate a sufficient fire suppression Cortland and warning system.
Federal and state laws, as well as City of Frisco fire codes, require landlords and property managers to comply with fire regulations or face charges of negligence for indifference to the rights, safety and welfare of the families they invited to reside at their apartment complex as renters. In essence, this alleged failure to protect is a breach of contract with their residents, the suit notes.
The residents seek compensation not only for the loss of their homes and belongings but for injuries and other losses suffered due to the fire.
The Cortland attorneys representing the residents are licensed Texas lawyers specializing in disaster cases and helping victims.
