Mother Sues New Jersey Apartment Complex Over Son’s Fatal Carbon Monoxide Exposure

Charlene Durham sued Elmwood Village Apartments & Townhomes in Elmwood Park, NJ, for wrongful death. This tragedy emphasizes tenant safety. October 8, 2023, her 29-year-old son Odell Durham died of carbon monoxide poisoning at home.

Elmwood Village and apartment complex owner Morgan Properties are being sued in Bergen County Superior Court. State-mandated safety equipment including carbon monoxide detectors were missing from Charlene Durham’s residence. The mother says insufficient detectors exposed her son to hazardous fumes for a long time.

The apartment agreement provides a “implied warranty of habitability,” ensuring the rental unit is safe and habitable, according to lawyers. Those being sued say they violated this commitment by not making the living environment safe, which killed Odell Durham.

The property management business is accused of neglecting repairs. It argues a good investigation would have shown the unit was hazardous for years. Charlene Durham claims her son’s long-term chemical exposure caused major health issues. Hospitalization preceded his death.

The complaint claims compensation for hospital bills, funeral fees, and burial costs. The Charlene Durham case shows how important landlords are in protecting renters from risks.

Sources

• Daily Voice

• NorthJersey.com