Lawsuit over burned Lynn boys seeks $500G

LYNN – The father of two toddlers burned by hot water in June is suing the owner of the building where the injuries occurred for $500,000.Joseph Young?s 15-page complaint names Affordable Housing Associates of Lynn, Inc. as 263 Essex St.?s owner and states that Young?s sons, Landon and Leland, “…were caused to suffer serious, severe and permanent personal injuries and damages as a result of a dangerous condition which existed on the premises ? scalding hot water ?”Attorney John Yasi of Salem filed the suit on Young?s behalf in Superior Court on July 3.Leland Young, 3, and 18-month-old Landon were injured on June 18, and a prosecutor a week later said the man taking care of the boys fell asleep after turning on water to bathe the boys. Charles Collins-Robinson, 21, pleaded not guilty to two charges of child endangerment on June 25.Young?s suit does not mention Collins-Robinson but points to 263 Essex?s water heater, claiming the appliance heated bath water to a temperature “in excess of the legal temperature limits” set under state law.According to the suit, city Plumbing Inspector Paul Flores verified the building?s water temperature exceeded state limits. Flores told the Item on June 18 that he tested 263 Essex?s water temperature after the boys were injured and measured the building?s hot water supply at 131 degrees – 19 degrees above what he described as the hot water temperature standard set by state law for residences.A plumber applied for a city plumbing permit on June 18 to replace faucet stems and a mixing valve in the building. City Inspectional Services Director Michael Donovan said the mixing valve controls water temperature. Flores inspected and signed off on the repair work on June 24, according to city paperwork. Assistant District Attorney Aimee Conway stated in District Court on June 25 that the older boy sustained burns on 60 percent of his body and will be hospitalized for two months. She said the younger boy was burned on his back, arms and the top of his head and is to stay in the hospital for a month.Collins-Robinson?s father, Charles Collins, defended his son in an interview last week and said the younger Collins was watching the boys while Joseph Young was “looking for work.”?He?s being charged for trying to be a nice young man,” Collins said.Affordable Housing?s 2013 annual report filed with the Massachusetts Secretary of State?s office lists 52 Andrew St. as its office and lists Lynn resident James Toomey as president.