Erie Housing Authority lawsuit settled [Erie Times-News, Pa.]

July 21--The insurer for the Erie Housing Authority has agreed to pay an Erie woman $93,500 to settle a federal lawsuit she filed against the Housing Authority in 2012, claiming it violated her late husband's rights.

With the settlement, the Housing Authority admits no wrongdoing, according to a statement issued by the Housing Authority's lawyer, Patrick Carey, and John Mizner, who represented the plaintiff, Maria Santiago.

Santiago sued the Housing Authority in March 2012 on behalf of the estate of her disabled husband, Luis Alberto Quinones, claiming the Housing Authority's failure to provide suitable accommodations for her husband resulted in his death in June 2010.

Quinones, 59, died of head injuries after falling down the steps in front of his home.

The lawsuit alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal laws, and charged that the Housing Authority acted with deliberate indifference, all of which the Housing Authority denied.

"Mr. Quinones' family is pleased that this matter is resolved and is thankful for the closure this settlement provides," Mizner said.

Of the settlement proceeds, $59,758 will be paid to the estate, minus any amount owed to Medicare, if any, and $32,725, or 35 percent, plus $1,016, will be paid to Mizner to cover fees and costs, respectively, according to court records.

Praetorian Insurance Co., the insurance carrier for the Housing Authority, will pay the settlement.

According to the lawsuit, Quinones resided at 1704 German St., a rental unit for low-income families, for more than 15 years.

During the last year of his life, Quinones was being treated for ailments, including end-stage kidney failure, that required him to use a wheelchair.

The lawsuit charges that Quinones' doctor in April 2010 and an occupational therapist on June 1, 2010, both filled out the required paperwork requesting accommodations for Quinones, including wheelchair ramps.

Quinones' stepdaughter requested the accommodations three times, but they were not provided, the lawsuit claims. The Housing Authority suggested alternative housing, which the family said was not appropriate.

Quinones' family located an empty unit that had the features needed and offered to pay additional rent, the lawsuit said, but received no response from the Housing Authority before June 9, 2010, when Quinones fell down the cement stairs in front of his home. He died on June 13, 2010.

LISA THOMPSON can be reached at 870-1802 or by e-mail. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/ETNthompson.

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