The family of Chicago firefighter Daniel Capuano filed a wrongful death lawsuit Thursday against the owner of the building where Capuano suffered fatal injuries during a fall down an unprotected elevator shaft. Julie Capuano, the firefighter's wife, filed the lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court against Anilroshi, the company that owns the two-story brick warehouse at 9213 S. Baltimore Ave. Daniel Capuano, 42, died Monday, a few hours after he plunged down an open, unprotected elevator shaft as he and a partner searched through thick smoke for people and the source of the fire, the Chicago Fire Department said. The lawsuit alleges the owner was negligent because the building had an open elevator shaft, gaping holes in the floor and no permits for major work at the warehouse, in violation of Occupational Safety and Health Administration and city standards.
"The defendant blatantly violated OSHA regulations and city of Chicago regulations," Capuano family attorney Robert Napleton said. "It cost a world-class father, husband, son and friend to many his life."