Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Department of Public Utilities to compromise and settle multiple lawsuits filed against the City of Columbus. An explosion involving natural gas occurred on March 21, 2015 at 3418 Sunningdale Way in Upper Arlington, Ohio (the “Incident”). The Incident caused extensive damage to that residence and its contents, as well as damage to numerous surrounding residences and their contents. The Plaintiffs allege that they suffered personal injury, damages, and bodily injuries caused by the Incident. The Plaintiffs filed lawsuits in the Franklin County, Ohio Court of Common Pleas naming the City of Columbus, Division of Water as one of the defendants.
The lawsuits pertaining to this ordinance are captioned as follows:
1. Sandra Miller, et al. v. Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc., et al., Case No. 15CVG-9944 Plaintiffs: John Annarino, Glenna Annarino, John A. Annarino, Mary McKenna, Hollis Boardman, Marilyn Boardman, David Ewoldsen, Nancy Rhodes, Jonahan Roskos-Ewoldsen, Mark Fisanick, William Fisanick, Theresa Fisanick, Nicolas Fisanick, Martha Peterson, Farid Mehr, Farzin Mehr, Sean Mehr, Sandra Miller, Tamara Morris, Donald Morris, Richard Rosen, Karen Rosen, Nicholas Stoycheff, and Karen Jaske
2. Hidefumi Ishida, et al. v. Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc., et al., Case No. 15CVG-10847 Plaintiffs: Hidefumi Ishida and Mariko Ishida
3. Stephanie Estice v. Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc., et al., Case No. 15CVG-10871 Plaintiff: Stephanie Estice as Power of Attorney for Barbara F. Richardson
4. James R. Lockwood, et al. v. Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc., et al., Case No. 15CVG-10872 Plaintiffs: James R. Lockwood and Margaret Ann Lockwood
5. Fortunato Merullo, et al. v. Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc., et al., Case No. 15CVG-10874 Plaintiffs: Fortunato P. Merullo and Renee M. Merullo
6. Trevor Flannery, et al. v. Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc., et al., Case No. 15CVG-10875 Plaintiffs: Trevor L. Flannery and Chelcie Flannery
7. Daniel M. Schafe...
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