Family of Eric Snyder, the 19-year-old who perished in a tragic Christmas Eve fire in 2010, has filed a lawsuit against property owner

LAKE CITY, Fla., July 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Shawn Wheeler, the mother of 19-year-old Eric Snyder, who perished in the tragic Christmas Eve day fire in 2010, hired Attorney Stephen K. Miller to investigate the circumstances that led up to the death of her son. After an in-depth expert investigation, Wheeler, the Personal Representative of the Estate of Eric Snyder, filed a lawsuit today against the landlord and named Stephen K. Miller as the case attorney.

"Our preliminary investigation focused on fire hazards including non-functioning or missing smoke detectors, and whether Eric was prevented from escaping the fire due to a broken or altered exit door. The expert findings have led us to file this lawsuit against the property owner & management company for negligence and wrongful death," said Attorney Stephen K. Miller.

Tragically Ms. Wheeler and a neighbor unsuccessfully tried to open or break the glass on a sliding glass door to rescue Eric who could be seen trapped only a few feet inside. The route to the only other exit door was blocked by fire, and the glass door and screen had been screwed shut and could not be opened.

Attorney Stephen K. Miller stated that the mobile home was being rented, and that the findings revealed that the landlord did not provide a safe premises in compliance with Florida law. Wheeler hopes that her son's death, and the investigation findings completed by her lawyers at the Law Offices of Stephen K. Miller, will result in landlords taking required steps to ensure their tenants are kept safe from fire related hazards.

SOURCE Law Offices of Stephen K. Miller, P.A.