On This Page
- Allegations of Neglect and System Failures Emerge
- Could This Tragedy Have Been Prevented?
- Legal Rights for Families After a Fatal Assisted Living Fire
- Nursing Home and Assisted Living Liability Laws
- DiBella Law Is Here for Fall River Families
- Free Consultations for Victims of Fire Tragedies Available Now
Fall River, MA – On July 13, 2025, a five-alarm fire at Gabriel House Assisted Living in Fall River, Massachusetts, killed nine residents and injured more than 30 others, including five firefighters. Emergency crews described the scene as “chaotic” as they worked to evacuate the 70-unit facility during the late-night blaze.
Authorities report that many residents were elderly, with limited mobility and oxygen needs, making the evacuation especially difficult. Several victims had to be rescued through windows and stairwells due to heavy smoke and reports of an inoperable elevator.
If your loved one was harmed or lost in the Gabriel House fire, DiBella Law is here to help. We offer free consultations and are currently reviewing potential wrongful death and elder neglect claims on behalf of victims and their families. Call (617) 870-0907 or contact us online today to learn your rights.
Allegations of Neglect and System Failures Emerge
In the days following the tragedy, serious concerns have been raised regarding facility safety and staff conduct. Reports from residents, family members, and emergency personnel allege:
- The broken elevator limited evacuation options
- Staff abandoned the building as the fire spread
- Possible malfunctioning of the fire suppression system
- Prior complaints of infestations and poor conditions
One family member told a local reporter, “We trusted Gabriel House to keep our loved ones safe. They failed in the worst possible way.”
The Massachusetts State Fire Marshal and local officials are continuing their investigation into the cause of the fire, which has not yet been publicly confirmed.
Could This Tragedy Have Been Prevented?
According to firefighter union officials, understaffed emergency crews due to city budget cuts may have affected response time and capacity. Gabriel House itself is facing scrutiny for whether it complied with elder care safety regulations required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
These lapses may open the door to legal accountability if violations are confirmed.
Fires at nursing homes and medical facilities are often highly preventable. These incidents tend to involve multiple safety and building violations. Even when a fire is the result of criminal conduct, there must be certain protections in place at these facilities to adequately warn residents.
Unfortunately, nursing homes and other care facilities will often do everything in their power to deny responsibility when a resident in their care is harmed. If you or a loved one have experienced an injury or fatal accident, it is important to contact a nursing home/assisted living lawyer as soon as possible. It is critical that these incidents are properly investigated by an outside party with a strong background in premises liability law.
Legal Rights for Families After a Fatal Assisted Living Fire
Regardless of how any fire may start, property owners can still be liable for injuries that arise because a property was in an unsafe condition. Consider, for example, Addis v. Steele, 38 Mass. App. Ct. 433 (1995). A plaintiff was injured after an arsonist set fire to the inn where he was staying. Attorneys for the plaintiff alleged that the innkeeper was negligent in maintaining safe exits and failing to provide adequate emergency lighting or warning in the event of a fire. The Appeals Court of Massachusetts held that the risk of a fire at an inn is foreseeable, even when it is started by a third party.
Families who have lost loved ones in preventable fires may have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit under Massachusetts law. These claims can help uncover the truth, hold negligent parties accountable, and recover compensation for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of companionship or support
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Medical bills and end-of-life care
Massachusetts law allows families three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. However, early action helps preserve evidence and strengthen legal claims.
Nursing Home and Assisted Living Liability Laws
Nursing homes and other property owners in Massachusetts owe a duty of care to the residents that they look after. All nursing homes have a legal obligation to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition.
Pursuant to State Building Code, 780 Code Mass. Regs. Section 604.1, “[t]he owner or lessee of every existing building and structure shall be responsible for the safety of all persons in, or occupying, such premises with respect to the adequacy of means of egress therefrom.” There are also Massachusetts statutes requiring a safe environment for nursing home residents.
According to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 19D, Section 9(1), every resident of an assisted living facility has a right to live “in a decent, safe, and habitable residential living environment.” This necessitates that building operators comply with state licensing rules, including fire safety and sanitary codes.
When an assisted living facility has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition, it must take action. Failing to remedy a dangerous condition that contributes to an injury or death could be construed as negligence.
DiBella Law Is Here for Fall River Families
We extend our deepest condolences to all of the families who have lost loved ones at the Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility in Fall River. It is our sincere hope that all of the other victims will be able to make a full recovery.
A thorough investigation into what went wrong and accountability for the negligent parties are needed. At DiBella Law Injury and Accident Lawyers, we’ve seen firsthand how devastating the sudden loss of a loved one can be. Our founding attorney, Chris DiBella, understands these tragedies personally.
“This should never have happened. When facilities that are trusted to care for the elderly fall short, we step in to hold them accountable,” said Chris DiBella. “We’ll be here for every family that wants to know their rights, and we’ll pursue justice with everything we have.”
With over 20 years of experience handling wrongful death and elder neglect cases across Massachusetts and New Hampshire, DiBella Law has recovered millions for grieving families.
Free Consultations for Victims of Fire Tragedies Available Now
If your loved one was injured or killed in the Gabriel House fire, we urge you to contact our firm. We offer:
- Free, confidential consultations
- No fee unless we win
- 30-day risk-free trial of our services
- We’ll come to you—home or hospital
Call (617) 870-0907 or visit our contact us page to speak with an attorney today.
Every case is personal. Every family matters. Let us help you seek justice.