Two Alarm Fire Arsonist Will Face More Than Jail Time
(PRWEB) July 11, 2013 -- Twenty-four apartments were damaged by a fire that moved through The Club at Carolina Stadium in June. Now Columbia Fire Department investigators have announced arson was the likely cause. Charleston personal injury lawyer Gary Christmas says that, if caught, the arsonist will face more than just criminal charges – he could be liable for millions of dollars of compensation to victims.
The fire moved through the apartment complex on June 13, gutting the building and displacing 21 residents. No one was killed in the fire, in part because one resident went door to door alerting his neighbors and making sure they got out according to WISTV (7.7.13).
Fire investigators estimate the damage to the building at $400,000, but Christmas says the total liability could be much more than that.
“It's not just the cost of replacing the building,” said Christmas, the founder of Charleston-based Howell & Christmas law firm and an advocate for victims' rights. “These are people's homes. They each have property of their own to replace, and many personal belongings that can never be replaced.”
Given the nature of the crime and the scope of the damage, Christmas said that if taken to court the arsonist could also be ordered to pay punitive damages.
“This is one of those rare cases where a judge and/or jury could order compensation for pain and suffering, as well as punitive damages,” he said.
Christmas says those damages could add up to millions.
“If the residents band together and speak with an experienced lawyer, the arsonist could face a lot more than just prison time.”
About Gary Christmas:
Gary Christmas is a Charleston personal injury lawyer and senior partner in the law firm of Howell & Christmas. He has tried more than 200 cases with a focus on protecting the rights of people injured in accidents and disasters. He can be contacted at:
Howell & Christmas
1495 Remount Road
North Charleston, South Carolina 29406
843-566-8030
Files principally handled at the Mount Pleasant Office
250 Mathis Ferry Road Suite 102
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
843.884.2800
Gary Christmas, Howell and Christmas, LLC, http://www.howellandchristmas.com/, 843.849.2800, [email protected]
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