SHEFF LAW REACHES SETTLEMENT WITH COLUMBIA GAS IN DEATH OF LEONEL RONDON DURING MERRIMACK VALLEY GAS EXPLOSIONS
On September 13, 2018, the calm of a late-summer suburban night turned to chaos as natural gas explosions ripped through Andover and North Andover and the City of Lawrence, Massachusetts. A Lawrence teenager who had just received his driver’s license was killed as he sat in his car when a chimney collapsed from a house explosion. Another 25 people suffered injuries as police and firefighters from across eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire raced to the Merrimack Valley to fight more than 60 fires and explosions.
Full Statement from Sheff Law Offices at Leonel Rondon Press Conference, July 10, 2019
Good morning. I’m Doug Sheff of the Sheff Law Offices. We are the attorneys for the Rondon family. Leonel Rondon lost is life as a result of the Septemebr 13, 2018 gas explosions in Lawrence, MA. The Rondons are here today as we announce a settlement of the family’s claims against Columbia Gas. Leonel Rondon was a loving, supportive family member and friend. He was only 18 years old and full of life. He loved science, music and, most of all, his family. He will be sorely missed forever.
The Rondon family has conducted itself with incredible strength, grace and love throughout this tragic loss as well as the legal process that followed. We at Sheff Law are honored to represent each and every one of them. The family intends to preserve the memory of Leonel in many ways which will serve our community, our Commonwealth and, indeed, our country. We are proud that a new national pipeline safety bill has recently been named after this wonderful young man. And there is more to come in the future.
Sheff Law will establish a scholarship fund in order to encourage fire and explosion prevention and public safety, and we will continue to work with the Rondons to maintain a safe environment for all of us and our loved ones. Let us never allow such a catastrophe to happen again. Let us never forget the name Leonel Rondon.
Due to the confidential nature of this settlement, we are prohibited from taking any questions. But any future inquries can be directed to the Sheff Law Offices.
Press Statement from Columbia Gas
Rondon Family and Columbia Gas Announce Settlement
The family of Leonel Rondon, the young man who lost his life as a resutl of the September 13, 2018 gas explosions, and Columbia Gas of Massachusetts today announced a settlement f the family’s claims against the company.
The settlement is the result of voluntary mediation between the parties. The amount of the settlement is confidential, per the terms of the agreement.
Doug Sheff, attorney for the Rondon family, stated that, “Leonel tragically lost his life when a chimney from a nearby house fell on a car. He was only 18 years old and full of life. He loved science and had a passion for music. He dreamt of going to college and cared for his family members in every way possible. His mother, Rosaly, described Leonel as “the happiness of the house.” The family can only hope that this kind of catastrophe will never happen again. Nothing can replace the loss of Leonel and the Rondons will continue to cherish his memory, his loving support and positive impact on his family and community. Sheff Law will establish a scholarship fund designed to encourage an ongoing interest in public safety and community service.”
“We remain heartbroken over the tragic loss of Leonel Rondon and again express our deepest sympathy to his family and to the entire community,” said Joe Hamrock, CEO and President of NiSource Inc., the parent company of Columbia Gas. “We recognize the pain that remains and understand that nothing we can ever say or do will bring Leonel back to his loved ones or erase that pain. Since this tragic event, we have always wanted to do the right thing for the Rondon family and all of those affected, and we are pleased to have reached this settlement. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with the Rondon family to honor Leonel through a scholarship fund, and we will continue to honor his memory.”
Columbia Gas will also set up a scholarship fund in Leonel’s name, independent of the settlement announced today. The company will with the family on its establishment in the near future.
The parties added, “We would also like to thank Brian Mone, the mediator, for his steadfast work on this matter.”
Family of Teen Killed During Gas Explosions Settles Lawsuit
Sheff Law And The Rondon Family Participated In The Special Senate Hearing Regarding Columbia Gas, Which Led To The Creation of the Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act
WPRI: Columbia Gas Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Full Rondon Family Press Conference at Sheff Law Offices, July 10, 2019
Web Extra: Square Dedication in Honor of Leonel Rondon
Doug Sheff & The Rondon family present a $5,000 check and the first annual Leonel Rondon Memorial Award to Lawrence Fire Chief Brian Moriarty
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly: Columbia Gas Settles with Family of Teen Who Died in Explosions
Columbia Gas reached a settlement with the family of Leonel Rondon, the Lawrence teenager who was killed in the Sept. 13 gas explosions in Merrimack Valley.
Columbia officials on July 9 announced the settlement, the result of voluntary mediation, saying it resolved the Rondon family’s claims against the company and that the amount was confidential under the terms of the agreement.
The company said it also plans to set up a scholarship fund in Rondon’s name.
“Leonel tragically lost his life when a chimney from a nearby house fell onto a car. He was only 18 years old and full of life,” Douglas K. Sheff of Boston, the family’s attorney, said in a statement. “The family can only hope that this kind of catastrophe will never happen again.”
BOSTON GLOBE: $5,000 AWARD GIVEN TO LAWRENCE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN HONOR OF TEEN KILLED IN GAS EXPLOSIONS
One year after the explosions, Lawrence officials dedicated a city square to Rondon. On Sunday September 13, 2020, which was the second anniversary of the deadly incident, another ceremony was held in Rondon’s memory — this time with a gift for the Lawrence Fire Department.
Rondon’s family and Doug Sheff, the family’s lawyer, presented a $5,000 check to Lawrence Fire Chief Brian Moriarty and a plaque with Rondon’s picture to be hung in the fire station. It was the first of what Sheff said will be an annual ceremony to present the Leonel Rondon Memorial Award.
“It’s very humbling and an honor to think that in the Rondon family’s worst hour and time of their life, they reach back and think of us to help us possibly rescue someone else in the future,” Moriarty said. “We don’t expect people to give back. This is an honorable gift.”
The money was donated by Sheff, who said his firm “wanted to recognize those who prevent fires and explosions.”
Rondon’s sister, Lucianny, stood alongside Sheff, Moriarty, and Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera as the award was presented outside the Lawrence Fire Department headquarters.
Lucianny said she misses her brother every day.
“Every day is a challenge, every day is difficult because we cannot hear his voice, his jokes, his laughter,” she told reporters at the station, according to a WCVB newscast segment. “Knowing that he is not going to come home, it’s difficult.”
Sheff said emotions are still raw in the close-knit family as they continue to reel from their loss.
“It doesn’t matter how much time has passed,” he said. “Times are tough and they’re happy something good can come out of this.”
He also said the award would help keep Rondon’s memory alive.
“We want people to remember five years from now when we’re still giving this out not to forget what happened here,” he said. “This is one of the most significant cases of our time, because wherever you are, those pipelines are under us.”
The family reached a confidential settlement with Columbia Gas in a wrongful death lawsuit last year.
In July, Columbia Gas agreed to pay $56 million to resolve the state’s investigation into the explosions. Additionally, Eversource will purchase the company from Indiana-based NiSource Inc. for $1.1 billion. The deal is expected to close later this fall.
In April last year, US Senator Edward Markey and Representative Lori Trahan introduced a bill in Rondon’s name that officials said would strengthen pipeline safety precautions.
The Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act, which Markey’s camp has said would close regulatory loopholes and increase safety standards, was included in the Senate-passed PIPES Act in August.
For Moriarty, the fire chief, the two years since the explosions have passed quickly, but he took a moment to reflect on Sunday.
“We’re humbled [the family] thought of us, and we accept it on behalf of Andover and North Andover firefighters and first responders who responded that day and in the following months,” he said.
