Michael Thomas
08-02-2007, 07:03 AM
CHICAGO -- The city of Chicago will not be held liable for damages in dozens of lawsuits filed after a porch collapsed in Lincoln Park in 2003, according to an Illinois Appellate Court ruling released Wednesday.The ruling stems from 38 lawsuits filed on behalf of people killed and injured when a porch collapsed during a party at 713 W. Wrightwood. Thirteen people were killed in the collapse, which happened June 29, 2003.The city was sued for negligent inspection of the porch, according to a release by the city's law department.
The court rejected plaintiff's assertions that the city was liable for the injuries, which happened on private property.The court held that while the law requires that owners of private property adhere to certain duties with respect to the safety of their property, the law does not require a municipality to ensure that private property is safe, according to the release.The defendants plan to file an appeal with the Illinois Supreme Court.The plaintiffs also sued L.G. Properties Co., the owner of the building where the collapse happened, as well as the people who constructed the porch. Wednesday's ruling does not affect those other lawsuits.
<http://www.nbc5.com/news/13800259/detail.html>
(Brought to my attention by Will Decker)
The court rejected plaintiff's assertions that the city was liable for the injuries, which happened on private property.The court held that while the law requires that owners of private property adhere to certain duties with respect to the safety of their property, the law does not require a municipality to ensure that private property is safe, according to the release.The defendants plan to file an appeal with the Illinois Supreme Court.The plaintiffs also sued L.G. Properties Co., the owner of the building where the collapse happened, as well as the people who constructed the porch. Wednesday's ruling does not affect those other lawsuits.
<http://www.nbc5.com/news/13800259/detail.html>
(Brought to my attention by Will Decker)