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Local attorneys file negligence lawsuits on behalf of Realty Tower victims in Youngstown

Local attorneys with Betras Kopp LLC have filed multiple lawsuits in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on behalf of people who suffered personal injuries, property and other economic damages in May as a result of the downtown Youngstown explosion at the Realty Towers building.
Local attorneys with Betras Kopp LLC have filed multiple lawsuits in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on behalf of people who suffered personal injuries, property and other economic damages in May as a result of the downtown Youngstown explosion at the Realty Towers building.

Local attorneys with Betras Kopp LLC filed multiple lawsuits in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Attorneys Brian Kopp, Frank Cassese and James Melfi are representing people who suffered personal injuries, property and other economic damages at the end of May as a result of the downtown Youngstown explosion at the Realty Towers building.

“We are totally committed to ensuring that all those responsible for this avoidable catastrophe are held responsible for their actions and to securing justice and just compensation for our clients,” said attorney Brian Kopp.

According to the attorneys, suits were filed on behalf of six individuals who suffered damages as a result of injuries caused by the explosion: Caroline Pizarro, Ariadna Pizzaro, Christina Will, Richard Will, Susie A. Page and Vito Colella.

Another complaint was also filed on behalf of 22 Realty Tower residents who lost their homes and possessions when the building was rendered uninhabitable.

The complaints allege that a number of individuals are directly responsible for the explosion due to negligence, including the building’s owners and managers, according to Betras Kopp LLC.

Here’s a link to the full complaint in Mahoning County Common Please Court and information about defendants, including Greenheart Companies.

According to the complaints, a Greenheart crew member “used a reciprocating saw to cut into one of the gas lines, which was believed to be inactive.”

Approximately six minutes after the line was cut, the explosion happened, according to the complaint.

We have reached out to Greenheart and will update the story when we hear back.

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