SIX DEATHS - FIVE INJURIES IN MOBILE HOME FIRE FUELED BY FOAM FILLED SOFA

Foster Law Firm, L.L.P. was associated as counsel for plaintiffs in claims filed in May and July, 2004, against upholstered furniture maker Futuristic, Inc., of Bean Station, Tennessee, and a mobile home manufacturer, Oakwood Homes (now in bankruptcy).  The claims arise out of a July 9, 2003, Jacksonville, North Carolina fire, started in the manufactured home occupied by the plaintiffs, by a mentally challenged child, who ignited a candle with a cigarette lighter.

The polyurethane foam filled couch, made by Futuristic, Inc., ignited and within minutes, filled the mobile home with intense heat as well as thick, black toxic smoke, trapping 6 of his siblings, who perished in the fire. His mother, along with help from neighbors, was finally able to break out a bedroom window, where 4 children were rescued, but sustained severe smoke inhalation injuries. The mother nearly bled to death from the lacerations caused by the large shards of glass which remained in the window frame, which was not made of safety glass.

The plaintiffs allege the sofa was excessively flammable and exhibited a high rate of fire growth, with release of high heat and toxic by-products of combustion. Plaintiffs allege construction defects in the manufactured home, including inadequate draft stops, emergency egress windows and smoke alarms. The cases are styled Boyd Tisdale, Administrator of the Estate of Amanda Leigh Ann Turner, Estate of Doreen Shavanet Oates, Estate of Jessie LaMont Oates, Jr., Estate of QuaNesh Maria Lavette Oates, Estate of Diamond Faith Carol Perez, and Estate of Angela Lynette Avila, vs. Futuristic, Inc. and Oakwood Homes Corporation, Case No. 04 CVS 1714 and Boyd Tisdale, Guardian ad Litem for Lauren Ashley Oates, Anthony Oates, Sharetha Lanae Oates, and Latasha Tashae Oates, and Mary Alice Turner, as mother of Lauren Ashley Oates, Anthony Oates, Sharetha Oates, Latasha Tashae Oates, vs. Futuristic, Inc., Case No. 04 CVS 2084 (Onslow County).  The parties reached a confidential settlement in March 2007.