Guests injured when deck collapses at Langley wedding party file suit
Credit to Author: Keith Fraser| Date: Fri, 11 Oct 2019 23:17:18 +0000
More than a dozen guests who were injured when a deck collapsed at a wedding party in Langley have filed lawsuits seeking damages from the owner of the home, a construction company and the Township of Langley.
To date, 17 notices of civil claim have been filed in the Vancouver registry of the B.C. Supreme Court in connection with the incident, which happened at a home in the 5800-block of 268th Street on April 19.
At the time, police reported that dozens of people were injured when the second-storey deck collapsed during a party being attended by more than 100 people. One neighbour reported hearing a “deafening boom” as the deck came down.
One of the lawsuits, which was filed in September, says that on Aug. 18, 2018, a rental agreement was formed between Amaroo Estate, a landlord that carries on a business providing executive-style furnished accommodations, and a tenant for the use and occupancy of the premises between April 16 and 23.
The premises had a large outdoor deck that was attached to the main residence and was about one storey above a concrete slab, says the lawsuit.
“While the guests were congregating on the deck in order to take photographs, it suddenly and without warning, collapsed causing the plaintiff to fall from the deck surface onto the concrete and/or other guests.”
The plaintiff in question, a businessman named Bora Yenal, claims that he suffered fractures to both ankles, injuries to his neck, shoulders and back as well as lacerations, contusions and abrasions. He also claims he suffered soft-tissue injuries, mood disruption, anxiety, chronic pain and sleep disruption.
“The injuries have caused and continue to cause the plaintiff pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent physical disability, loss of physical, mental and emotional health,” says his lawsuit.
“The plaintiff continues to undergo medical care and treatment and to incur loss and expense, particulars of which will be delivered at trial.”
Other plaintiffs are claiming they suffered injuries including broken legs, feet and wrists, scarring and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The plaintiffs say the accident was caused by the negligence of the defendant landlord and several named directors of the company.
The allegations include that the defendants failed to employ a reasonable system of inspection or maintenance and permitted the deck to be constructed without complying with building and fire codes and the Township of Langley’s building bylaw.
The Township of Langley is also named as a defendant.
No response has been filed to the lawsuits, which contain allegations that have not been tested in court. The defendants could not be reached.
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