The lawyer representing the residential and commercial tenants of a downtown Windsor apartment building that suffered a fire in November 2019 has signed a $7.3-million settlement.
Harvey Strosberg of Strosberg Sasso Sutts LLP filed a $35-million class action three years ago seeking compensation for commercial and residential tenants at Westcourt Place, located at the corner of Chatham Street East and Goyeau Street.
The suit sought compensation for out-of-pocket expenses, personal injury, property loss, and, for commercial tenants, loss of income.
$25-million was for general damages, and $10-million was for special damages for negligence and breach of contract.
The fire started with an electrical fault and was ruled accidental.
Not long after the fire, the Windsor Essex County Health Unit ordered the high-rise's evacuation because there was no power, water, or heat in the building. Some tenants continued to struggle to find accommodations months after the fire.
The settlement is dated January 9, and parties have until February 20 to object. The court still needs to approve the settlement. A hearing is scheduled on Zoom on March 6.
