It’s been nearly six months since the fire at the Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility in Fall River claimed the lives of 10 residents and injured many others. Lawsuits filed by 11 plaintiffs, representing some of those who perished and those who survived, are slowly making their way through the justice system.
The lawsuits allege negligence on the part of Gabriel Care, LLC, its trustees, Daniel Etzkorn and Karen Etzkorn, and Fire Systems Inc. of Dartmouth, which was responsible for fire inspections and system maintenance within the building at 261 Oliver Street.
Under the current timeline of proceedings set by Bristol County Superior Court Judge Raffi N. Yessayan, plaintiffs have until late February to attach any additional defendants to their cases. Those defendants have until the end of March to file motions related to the charges…