Home / Disasters and Accidents / Son Dies in Locked Laundry Room; Suit Claims Negligence
Son Dies in Locked Laundry Room; Suit Claims Negligence
19 Jul
Summary
- Mother sues apartment complex after son's death in laundry room.
- Son died in laundry room during a medical emergency.
- Suit alleges door malfunction trapped son and another resident.
A mother in North Carolina is suing her apartment complex, Ashton Place Apartments, after her son died in the building's laundry room. Debra Davies filed the suit on June 3, alleging her 39-year-old son, Jason Pulliam, suffered a fatal medical emergency on November 25, 2024, while visiting her.
According to the complaint, Pulliam was in the laundry room when he became ill. Another resident present attempted to get help, but the laundry room door malfunctioned, trapping both individuals. The other resident, unable to escape or call for help without a phone, eventually attracted attention from other residents, leading to a 911 call. Despite CPR efforts by first responders, Pulliam was pronounced dead at the scene due to cardiomyopathy.
The lawsuit contends that Pulliam's death was preventable and resulted from the owners' and management's gross negligence. Davies believes the tragedy could have been avoided if the laundry room had a glass panel, allowing others to see the emergency unfolding inside. She has since co-founded a tenant organization advocating for safety and maintenance.
