Susan Collopy Killed, Brayden Findlay Injured In Chicago House Fire

Wrongful Death - February 5, 2022

Susan Collopy Died, Brayden Findlay Badly Injured After Fire Broke Out At Home In Clearing, Chicago

Susan Collopy Killed, Brayden Findlay Injured In Chicago House Fire

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (January 25, 2022) – A grandmother identified as Susan Collopy has died an a 7-year-old boy identified as Brayden Findlay sustained third-degree burns after a fire started in their Chicago home.

Chicago police officials are saying that the fire first started on November 29, 2021. Investigators believe that the fire may have started when a lamp in the house automatically turned on.

John Collopy, Melissa Compean and Brayden Findley all managed to escape the blaze. However, 7-year-old Brayden Findley sustained serious injuries in the process.

Melissa Compean, the boy’s mother, was able to pull him out of the home after it became covered with thick smoke. Sadly, the boy’s grandmother Susan Collopy did not survive the blaze.

You can help support the family through a GoFundMe page set up for them. According to the fundraiser’s organizer Christina Padilla, “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Susan Collopy. Sue was a wonderful mother, wife, grandmother, aunt, friend, and neighbor. She touched the lives of many and she will be dearly missed.”

A full investigation into the deadly Chicago house fire remains ongoing at this time.

Liability In Chicago House Fires

Residential fires seriously injure or kill thousands of people every year. According to the National Fire Protection Association, “During this five-year period [2015 – 2019], US fire departments responded to an estimated average of 346,800 home structure fires per year. These fires caused an annual average of 2,620 civilian deaths; 11,070 civilian fire injuries; and $7.3 billion in direct property damage.” There are a number of common causes of residential fires.

  • Unattended cooking
  • Faulty wiring
  • Unattended candles
  • Space heaters
  • Battery malfunctions

Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous sources of liability for a residential fire. For example, the manufacturer of a lamp could potentially be liable for a house fire. Companies have a legal responsibility to create products that are reasonably safe. They must also warn about the non-obvious dangers associated with the use of their products. Most product liability claims fall under one of three categories: design defects, marketing defects and manufacturing defects.

In 1997, 40 million halogen torchier floor lamps were recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. One of the main problems with these lamps is that they burn at temperatures far higher than regular bulbs. If the lamps came in contact with curtains, they would regularly start fires. In total, 11 deaths and 189 fires have been blamed on the lamps. In 1999, a family from San Diego settled an $11-million lawsuit with Wal-Mart Stores Inc., who sold the lamps. There are a number of steps that should be taken after a house fire.

  • The source of the blaze should be determined.
  • Any product believed to have started the fire should be examined.
  • Medical records should be preserved.
  • A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.

The family of any victim that died in a house fire may be able to seek aid through a wrongful death claim. Surviving members can also seek aid for medical bills through a personal injury claim. It is extremely important that evidence is properly preserved after an accident. Evidence is what will ultimately be used to demonstrate negligence. An Illinois product liability attorney can examine the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.

Investigating A Chicago House Fire

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Susan Collopy. It is our sincere hope that Brayden Findlay will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened. Steps need to be taken in order to prevent additional tragedies like this.

Do you need more information about a Chicago house fire? Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any legal questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.