UPDATE: Four survivors of the devastating explosion at the Bristol Health & Rehab Center in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, are suing the facility’s operator, Saber Healthcare Group, and natural gas supplier PECO for alleged negligence. The lawsuit, filed on December 25, 2023, cites failures to address a gas leak that led to the catastrophic event.
The lawsuit claims both companies neglected to take necessary precautions, resulting in the explosion that occurred on December 23. This tragic incident left two victims dead and over 20 others injured, causing significant physical and emotional trauma among survivors. Among the plaintiffs are former resident Barbara Sall, who lost her wheelchair in the fire, IT contractor James Broderick, and facility aides Stacy Ballard and Davidetta Blay. Each has sought medical treatment for injuries sustained during the explosion.
Witnesses reported that the explosion caused a portion of the nursing home to collapse, trapping individuals in stairwells and elevator shafts. As rescue efforts unfolded, a second explosion occurred, compounding the chaos. The tragedy claimed the lives of Patricia Mero, a 66-year-old woman who succumbed to her injuries just days later, and Muthoni Nduthu, a 52-year-old nurse. Further investigations revealed that PECO was already on-site addressing previous complaints of a gas odor when the explosion happened.
According to the lawsuit, residents had been reporting a strong gas smell for days, but PECO allegedly failed to locate or repair the leak before the disaster struck. Furthermore, Saber Healthcare is accused of not initiating an evacuation despite clear indications of danger. A state inspection report from October revealed significant safety deficiencies, including improperly maintained stairways and outdated fire extinguishers.
Attorney Robert Mongeluzzi, representing the plaintiffs, stated, “Our pre-suit investigation left no doubt that the defendants were responsible for this foreseeable and preventable tragedy just before Christmas.” He emphasized that failures in staffing, training, and safety protocols contributed to the incident, putting innocent lives at risk.
In response to the lawsuit, PECO declined to comment, citing its cooperation with the ongoing investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Saber Healthcare also expressed its commitment to cooperating with investigators but refrained from discussing pending litigation.
As this urgent situation develops, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the victims and survivors of this horrific event. The community is left reeling from the implications of a tragedy that could have been prevented with proper safety measures. More updates will follow as the investigation continues.
