With the lawsuit, the tenants requested a temporary injunction<\/a> to stop The Cooper\u2019s management from disposing of tenants\u2019 belongings left behind in their former apartments. The plaintiffs\u2019 attorneys argued the legal reassurance was necessary because of \u201cmajor distrust\u201d of The Cooper.\u00a0<\/p>\n After hearing two days of attorneys\u2019 arguments and witness testimonies, Judge Christopher Taylor said Aug. 20 that he intended to draft an injunction.<\/p>\n Instead, both parties signed a Rule 11 agreement<\/a>, a voluntary agreement that legally binds them on any given subject within a lawsuit.\u00a0<\/p>\n Under the agreement, The Cooper and its owner and property management are also barred from entirely demolishing the property\u2019s Building 1 without providing notice to the 49 tenants. The legal agreement does not prohibit the companies from \u201creasonable and necessary\u201d repair work and stabilization \u201ceven if such work may result in incidental interior damage or loss of personal property.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n After the fire, The Cooper stationed 24\/7 security personnel at the property, installed plywood coverings on all ground floor windows and doors, and erected 6-foot-tall chain-link fencing around its perimeter. The Cooper must maintain these security measures, according to the agreement.\u00a0<\/p>\n With the agreement, the tenants\u2019 lawsuit seeking damages will continue. A court hearing has not been set.\u00a0<\/p>\n On Sept. 2, Armando Rodelo, the electrician servicing The Cooper the day of the fire; Cano Electric, the company Rodelo works for; and Larry Cano, the electric company\u2019s owner \u2014 who are each named in the lawsuit \u2014 filed their defenses, saying they deny every allegation.\u00a0<\/p>\n The defendants said they performed their work \u201cin accordance with applicable industry standards,\u201d according to court filings. They claim that alleged damages were caused \u201cby the negligent acts and\/or omissions of other parties, including responsible third parties over whom Cano exercised no control and for whose acts and\/or omissions Cano cannot be held responsible.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Cecilia Lenzen is a government accountability reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at cecilia.lenzen@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n
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