More details on death of Ahjzanae Triplett | Toledo, Ohio child accident lawyer

More details are emerging about the tragic accident that claimed the life of 11-year-old Ahjzanae Triplett, a girl who has been called helpful and good-spirited.

Ahjzanae was collecting rocks outside her apartment with her brother and another child when she became trapped between the enclosed parking lot's mechanical gate and its control box. She died of compressive asphyxia because she was wedged into such a tight space, according to a Lucas County deputy coroner.

There is still no indication of how the gate was activated or how she got stuck.

Wallick-Hendy Properties, the company that manages the apartment complex where the accident occurred, says this was the first accident involving an electric gate at one of its properties.

According to a quote from city Law Director Adam Loukx in the Toledo Blade, the city of Toledo has no liability in this accident because "the city does not own, control or operate the building."

That same Toledo Blade article states that two girls in the United Kingdom were recently killed in similar accidents. Karolina Golabek, 5, and Semelia Campbell, 6, both lost their lives after becoming stuck in automatic gates.

Our Toledo, Ohio wrongful death lawyers want to stress that there are important steps that the family must take after this tragic accident. The first thing that needs to be done is there needs to be a thorough investigation of the accident scene and all witnesses present. The easiest way to do this is to hire an attorney and allow them to use the experts and private investigators that they consult on a daily basis to find out what really happened.

One of the issues in a wrongful death case is that the family wants answers to what happened. In order for them to go on with their life, an investigation needs to be done. Using expert witnesses and private investigators will help find answers and will help the family find closure.

The only way for products to become safer is to make sure that the manufacturers of those products are following all regulations, and that they are being held accountable for what they sell to the consumer.

An attorney can also help the family navigate the confusing sea of paperwork, probate, and investigations that follow tragic accidents like these. Dealing with the logistics of a wrongful death case is nearly impossible when you are mourning the loss of a loved one.  

 

Donations for Ahjzanae's memorial service are being accepted at Key Bank branches.