Nationwide — Debra Davies, an African American mom from Durham, North Carolina, filed a wrongful death lawsuit after her son, Jason Pulliam, died inside an apartment laundry room. She says he became trapped during a medical emergency and was unable to get help in time.
Pulliam died on Nov. 25, 2024, while visiting Davies at the apartment complex. According to ABC 11, the lawsuit states that he was inside the laundry room with another tenant when he suffered a serious health emergency and collapsed.
Court documents state that Pulliam, who had congestive heart failure, and the other tenant could not escape because the door would not open. The lawsuit alleges neither person had a cellphone, leaving them unable to call for emergency assistance while the other tenant repeatedly tried to get help.
Neighbors eventually heard the noise coming from the laundry room and opened the door, according to Davies. She said emergency responders arrived, but Pulliam could not be revived.
“I’m fighting for him,” Davies said. “What happened to him should not have happened. I should still have my son here with me.”
Davies said her son was a caring person who always helped others. She remembers him as someone who loved children, older adults, and animals, adding that his smile could brighten people’s day.
At the time of his death, Pulliam had been staying with his mother while helping her recover from surgery. Davies said he was supposed to pick her up from a train station later that day. She added that her son would have turned 41 years old this year.
Following Pulliam’s death, Davies helped form a tenant group called Ashton Seniors in Action. She also highlighted changes made to the laundry room, including the installation of a new metal door with a window.
Davies’ attorney, Lee Rodio, said he believes the evidence supports the family’s claims. The attorney representing Ashton Place Housing and DHIC said the defendants will respond through the court system and defend against the lawsuit.
The lawsuit states that a doctor later determined Pulliam died from cardiomyopathy, a condition that affects the heart’s ability to pump blood throughout the body.