The family of a 3-year-old who fell into a septic tank and died in Massachusetts has won a $21.5 million award, according to Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.
http://masslawyersweekly.com/2012/05/24/boys-fatal-fall-into-septic-system-results-in-21-5m-award/
The case stemmed from the death of Jaecen Cambronero, who drowned when he fell into an 8-foot-deep septic tank in his backyard in Taunton, Mass., in 2006.
He and his family had moved into the duplex where the accident took place just days before the death, according to Lawyers Weekly.
As it turned out, the septic tank’s lid wasn’t properly closed and fastened, so when the boy sat on it it apparently flipped over and he went into the tank, Lawyers Weekly reported.
His family noticed him missing, and tried to find him, but Jaecen was stuck — unseen — in the tank and was unable to get out.
The family sued in 2007, and received a $1 million settlement each from the property owner, and the maker, installer and inspector of the septic tank, according to Lawyers Weekly.
A home inspection company, the sole remaining defendant, defaulted after never answering the suit.
Judge Thomas McGuire assessed that company’s damages at $21.5 million. Each of Jaecen’s parents will receive $10 million, of that Lawyers Weekly reported.
They will also receive $1 million for pain and suffering, as well as $50,000 for punitive damages.