Saturday 26 November 2022 05:20 PM Dad sues VRBO after his daughters died in blaze at 'firetrap' $8,000-a-week ... trends now
A terminally-ill former federal prosecutor has filed a lawsuit against travel company VRBO after his daughters died at a 'firetrap' $8,000-a-week Hamptons getaway.
Lewis Wiener, a former chair of the US Courts of Federal Claims, accused VRBO, Homeaway.com and property owners Pamela and Peter Miller of failing to maintain his family's safety when a fire broke out on August 3, killing Linday, 19, and Jillian, 21.
Wiener, 60, who was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer, was hoping for one last summer retreat with his family, but they were instead met with tragedy, the East Hampton Star reports.
While Wiener and his wife were able to escape, with son Zachary, 23, fleeing from a second-floor window, the sisters perished in the three-bedroom, two-bath, $1.8 million home.
The grieving family is seeking $75,000 for emotional distress along with an unspecified amount in economic and medical damages to be determined by a trial.
'Rather than fond memories of a week's vacation on Long Island's east end, the Wiener family is left with a nightmare from which they cannot wake,' the lawsuit filed with Brooklyn Federal Court states.
'Defendants' greed, corner-cutting, and willful failure to give any thought to the safety of the occupants of the premises led to the deaths of Jillian Rose Wiener and her sister Lindsay Eliza Wiener.'
Sisters Jillian, 21 (left), and Linday, 19 (right), Wiener died after the $8,000-a-week Hamptons home they were renting in August caught fire. Their family is now suing for $75,000 for emotional distress along with an unspecified amount in economic and medical damages
The home (pictured after the blaze) was found to have 58 building code violations, including a lack of functioning smoke or carbon monoxide alarms.
The family was enjoying what would be their last summer together as patriarch Lewis Wiener (center) was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. Lewis was able to escape the blaze with wife Alisa (left) and son Zachery had to flee through the window
The family of five had been renting the 3 Spring Lane home, near Koyack Bay, when a fire broke out at around 3.30am on August 3.
According to the lawsuit, HomeAway.com let the family know that the house was well equipped with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as fire extinguishers, a first aid kit and other safety features.
According to a fire marshal's report, the house actually lacked functioning smoke or carbon monoxide alarms.
Lawyers also alleged that the home lacked the proper rental permits, nor was its newly installed outdoor kitchen ever inspected by 'a qualified electrician or other professional to ensure that it complied with local, state, and national safety standards.'
In total, the Miller's faced 58 building code charges over their 3 Spring Lane property.
