COLUMBIA, SC (WACH) --- Two new lawsuits have been filed against the Columbia Housing Authority, accusing officials there of wrongful death and negligence.
Ronald Stanley is one of the attorneys handling the two suits. The first lawsuit is filed on behalf of the estate of Derrick Roper. The 30-year-old died of carbon monoxide poisoning inside his apartment at Allen Benedict Court.
According to attorneys, the Housing Authority knew residents were exposed to a poisonous gas prior to his death. It goes on to say the authority failed to properly maintain a safe, healthy and habitable condition. “The family is still grieving from the death of Mr. Roper,” Stanley said. “Because of the suffering, his estate is entitled to recovered damages for the suffering of death also.”
A second lawsuit has also been filed on behalf of Robert Ballard. Ballard lived in the unit between Roper and Calvin Witherspoon, who was also found dead on January 17th.
The attorney said Ballard and a relative, not living in the apartment, suffered both physical and bodily injuries due to the living conditions.
The lawsuits come just one day after a sometimes tense Housing Authority board meeting. During that meeting, the board motioned to hire an independent investigator to look into everything that happened at Allen Benedict Court.
Despite a more than two and a half hour meeting, many residents WACH FOX News talked to still don't know what's next. “Very sad situation and very disturbing situation to know that we’ve got housing here that doesn’t adequately protect and provide for the welfare of its residents,” Stanley said.
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