A woman injured in last month’s horrific blast that destroyed two Harlem buildings has filed a $40 million notice of claim against the city, laying out her plans to sue for her injuries and for the death of her daughter, her lawyer said.
Carmen Quinones, who lost daughter Griselde Camacho, 48, in the March 12 disaster, filed papers with the comptroller’s office alleging that the city failed to maintain the decaying, 127-year-old gas lines at her Park Avenue residence, her lawyer said.
The documents claim the city didn’t do enough to respond to the complaints of residents who reported smelling gas.
Quinones, who is recovering from her injuries in Mt. Sinai Hospital, also wants restitution for her lost possessions.
“They have no home to go back to,” said the family’s lawyer, David Lesch. “It’s a complete disaster of epic proportions.”
Meanwhile, José Cecilio Hernandez, who lost his wife and daughter in the blast, says he has been drawing strength from watching the recovery of his injured son.
He says he’s been sleeping at 15-year-old Oscar’s bedside at the Harlem Hospital burn unit since the disaster.
“Each day, Oscar progresses and he is in good spirits,” Hernandez said at a press conference Wednesday. “If my son is doing well, everything is fine.”
Oscar was pulled from the rubble of the two buildings with severe burns, broken bones and internal injuries, while his mom, Rosaura Barrios-Vasquez and sister, Rosaura Hernandez-Barrios, perished.
“Oscar’s prognosis is extremely positive and he is well on his way to recovery,” said Dr. Ram Raju, president of the hospital.
“He’s incredibly strong. He’s been through an enormous amount and he’s tired,” added his colleague, Dr. Arthur Cooper, who said he expects Oscar to be able to walk again.
Hernandez says he plans to sue the city, but would not elaborate on whether he has begun legal proceedings.