$1.2 mil More in Settlements for Charleston Families

Seven additional defendants in the tragic Charleston Sofa Super Store fire have settled out of court with the families of eight of the fallen firefighters, according to documents recently filed in Charleston County Court. The June 18, 2007 fire claimed the lives of nine Charleston firefighters and set off a barrage of lawsuit by families of the deceased and surviving members of the Charleston Fire Department.

Defendants Overnight Sofa Corp., Pembrook Chair Corp., Hughes Furniture Industries, and Motion Eaze Recliners settled for a combined total of $400,000. Defendant Albany Industries settled for $500,000, Robinson and Robinson for $100,000, and Best Chairs for $88,888. The $1.2 million dollar settlement is in addition to the $5.6 million previously agreed to by 12 of the original 30 named defendants. That leaves 11 defendants still in the lawsuit.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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