San Mateo, CA – December 12, 2024
Singleton Schreiber LLP has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Jacinto Cuyuch Brito, a tenant who suffered catastrophic injuries due to the negligence and misconduct of his landlords, Dao Xiang Corporation, Chuck Young, and Fang Zhong. The case, filed in the Superior Court of California in San Mateo County, seeks justice for the severe physical, emotional, and financial harm Mr. Brito endured after the defendants failed to uphold their basic responsibilities as property owners.
Mr. Brito, who had his left leg amputated following a traumatic injury in October 2022, lived in the basement level of a property owned and managed by the defendants at 41 N. Humboldt St., San Mateo, California. Despite being fully aware of his disability, the defendants failed to provide accessible accommodations such as ramps or alternative living arrangements, violating their legal obligations under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).
On December 31, 2022, the property’s basement flooded with approximately seven inches of water, rendering Mr. Brito’s living space uninhabitable. The defendants directed him to vacate the property temporarily while they allegedly addressed the flooding and repaired the damage. However, less than 24 hours later, the defendants misrepresented the state of the property, assuring Mr. Brito that it was safe for him to return.
Unbeknownst to Mr. Brito, the water damage had loosened floor tiles in the basement, creating a hazardous environment. When he returned to his residence on January 1, 2023, he slipped on the unstable tiles and fell, causing the stitches on his amputated limb to rupture. This incident led to multiple re-amputations, extended hospitalizations, and long-term medical complications.
The lawsuit brought by Mr. Brito alleges several causes of action, including negligence, asserting that the defendants failed to exercise reasonable care to maintain a safe living environment, directly resulting in his injury. It also claims premises liability, stating that the defendants were aware of the unsafe conditions yet failed to take adequate steps to address them. Additional allegations include intentional and negligent misrepresentation, as the defendants falsely assured Mr. Brito of the property's safety despite knowing otherwise, and fraudulent concealment, where they actively hid the ongoing dangers posed by the flood-damaged flooring. Furthermore, the suit accuses the defendants of making false promises about the property's safety and violating the
Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) by refusing to accommodate Mr. Brito's disability, which exacerbated his injuries and caused further harm.
“Our client has endured immense pain and suffering as a direct result of the defendants’ disregard for his safety and rights,” said Srinivas M. Hanumadass, attorney at Singleton Schreiber LLP representing the plaintiff. “This case is about holding landlords accountable for their legal and moral responsibilities to provide safe and accessible housing, particularly for tenants with disabilities.”
The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life, as well as punitive damages to deter similar conduct by landlords in the future.
Singleton Schreiber is a client-centered law firm, specializing in mass torts/multidistrict litigation, environmental law, fire litigation, personal injury/wrongful death, civil rights, and sex abuse/trafficking. Over the last decade, the firm has recovered more than $2.5 billion for clients who have been harmed and sought justice. The firm also has the largest fire litigation practice in the country, having represented over 26,000 victims of wildfire, most notably serving plaintiffs in litigation related to the 2023 Maui wildfires, the Colorado Marshall wildfire, the Washington Gray wildfire, the Texas Smokehouse Creek wildfire, several California wildfires, and others.
