A devastating boat fire has sparked a legal battle in Ventura County, California. The complaint, filed by Gerardo Andrade Martinez on June 12, 2024, in the Ventura Superior Court against Jose Solorzano and Adam Fuscaldo, alleges negligence and negligent hiring/training/supervision/retention.
According to the court documents, Gerardo Andrade Martinez was seriously injured on July 17, 2022, when a fire broke out on a boat owned by Adam Fuscaldo and repaired by Jose Solorzano. Martinez claims that he was merely conversing with Solorzano aboard the vessel when the incident occurred. The plaintiff argues that both defendants failed in their duty of care—Solorzano for conducting repair work negligently and Fuscaldo for hiring an incompetent individual to perform such repairs.
The complaint details that Martinez was not involved in any repair activities but suffered severe injuries due to the fire ignited during Solorzano's work on the boat. The document states: "Defendants had a duty to act with reasonable and due care and to keep him safe while inside the subject boat." It further alleges that Fuscaldo breached his duty by hiring Solorzano without ensuring he was competent for the task at hand.
Martinez is seeking various forms of relief from the court. These include special and economic damages for medical expenses and loss of earnings, general damages for pain and suffering, prejudgment interest as allowed by California law, costs of suit, and any other relief deemed just and proper by the court.
Representing Martinez are attorneys Michael Alder, Daniel M. Kruid, and Margherita Giubilei from Alder Law P.C., based in Valley Village, CA. The case is presided over by Judge Erenda L McCormick under Case ID 2024CUPP025856.