Personal Injury Lawyers in New York

A San Luis Obispo, Texas County jury has recommended nearly $2 million in damages for the family members of two women killed in the collapse of a building in Paso Robles in the 2003 San Simeon Earthquake, saying the owner of that building was negligent in not reinforcing it.

The wrongful death trial against Mary Mastagni, 84, and her family, the owners of the historic, 111-year-old Acorn building in downtown Paso Robles, began Nov. 27.

The families of Marilyn Frost-Zafuto, 55, and Jennifer Myrick, 20, had sued saying Mastagni was negligent in not working more quickly to retrofit the un-reinforced masonry building and did not adequately warn the victims who were working in a clothing shop at the time the 6.5 earthquake hit.

The defendants had argued that they still had time under state law to retrofit the building.

The jury returned its verdict Monday afternoon, awarding $600,000 in damages each to Myrick's parents, Leroy and Vicky Myrick of King City. As well, the jury awarded $600,000 to Alison Phillips, the daughter of Frost-Zafuto, and $100,000 to Dennis Zafuto, the victim's husband.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed due to an unsafe building in Queens or Long Island, New York, please contact the attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos today to schedule your initial consultation.