Local News
By Layla Tiell, Newswire Intern
A series of lawsuits was filed in Hamilton County Court last week, following the collapse of a balcony near the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, causing 10 first-year medical students to be injured.
In late October, a balcony at the Stetson Square Condominium unit collapsed without warning, leaving several students injured and hospitalized. According to the court filings on behalf of a student’s mother, he has remained unconscious since the collapse.
Multiple lawsuits have been filed by attorneys representing a group of plaintiffs who have been seriously hurt. Austin LiPuma, representing 8 plaintiffs, states that “This was a deck with a weight capacity that was supposed to be far higher than the amount that was on there,”according to WLWT5.
An earlier complaint, filed by another UC medical student, Andrew McGovern, listed several additional defendants, including businesses and property owners. Most entities associated with the condominium have been targeted.
McGovern’s suit alleges Stetson Square Condominium Unit Owners Association, Eclipse Community Management, Property owners Hezekiel Eskender and Saba Eskender and other entities are responsible for the balcony’s maintenance.
Lawsuits have been filed following a balcony collapse near UC Medical Center.
Most complaints say the students were out on the balcony, celebrating after finishing their first medical exam, claiming they had plenty of space. “They did nothing wrong but try to use a piece of the property for its exact intended purpose. And now their lives are forever changed,” LiPuma stated.
The lawsuits claim that one side of the balcony gave way without warning, causing every person to fall 20-feet onto the pavement while surrounded by furniture and appliances that were on the platform.
Other court documents state that most who were injured in the accident have not been able to perform their everyday tasks or work responsibilities. The lawsuits allege the defendants accountable for their failure to keep the premises safe.
The plaintiffs seek both financial compensation for injuries and pain and suffering damage. Attorneys are claiming that the lawsuits are also intended to send a message to property owners and managers about safety.
