Former tenants at Westcourt Place in downtown Windsor can now file a claim for their share of a settlement related to a fire at the apartment building in 2019.
The claims portal is now live on the Strosberg, Whigfield, Sasso LLP website. It's open to those who rented an apartment or unit at Westcourt Place, were a resident of the building, owned property in an apartment, unit, or on the roof, or were an employee or independent contractor there.
The fire displaced hundreds of tenants, residential and commercial, in November 2019. The City of Windsor was forced to relocate the Provincial Offences Court to City Hall Square.
Some tenants struggled for months to find new accommodations.
A year ago, a $7.3-million settlement was reached with the numbered Ontario company that owns the building, Tyco Integrated Fire and Security Canada, Johnson Controls, Troy Life and Fire Safety Ltd., MK Electric Ltd., API Alarms, and other third parties. It was approved by Justice Spencer Nicholson last October.
Lawyers fighting the Class Action will receive $2.1-million for out-of-pocket expenses, interest and taxes, and work that was done implementing the settlement. Residential tenants who do not wish to reclaim their apartment will be entitled to at least $5,500. Those who do not wish to move back in can also make a claim, although they may not receive that sum.
Members of the Class Action have until 4:30 p.m. on April 30 to submit a completed Claim Form. Those who fail to submit a form will not be eligible for compensation.
