Our client, a Trafford resident, was enjoying a family outing at a Pennsylvania amusement park when a severe weather system with high winds descended on the park. Seeking shelter under a pavilion that covered one of the rides, our client was pinned to the ground as the massive pavilion collapsed from the force of a strong wind gust. Extricated by fire and emergency response teams, our client was transported to a Pittsburgh hospital where his lower leg was found to be almost completely severed. The trauma to his lower leg and ankle included multiple fractures, and extensive tendon and nerve damage. Our client underwent multiple surgeries and skin grafts in an attempt to salvage his leg. While the surgeons were able to save his leg and ankle, our client was left with severe and permanent loss of function and use of his leg and foot. He has been saddled with constant pain that he will endure and attempt to manage for the remainder of his life. Only 33 years old at the time of the incident, our client was unable to return to his employment with a local railroad company.
Along with a number of other injured persons, we filed suit against the amusement park and the construction company that built the pavilion. As one of the lead attorneys representing the various plaintiffs, our investigation revealed that the pavilion, which had only been built a few years before, had been constructed without the benefit of any engineering input. The pavilion had been built without the use of appropriate and approved construction, blueprint, architectural or engineering drawings. In summary, no analysis was conducted on whether the pavilion was structurally sound to withstand adverse weather conditions. Moreover, we discovered that the amusement park never obtained the appropriate building and occupancy permits required under Pennsylvania law. Last, we determined that the amusement park, despite the technology currently available, had no adverse weather tracking device or system in place, for the safety and welfare of the amusements park patrons. The amusement park and construction company, faced with the reality that their combined negligence caused this catastrophic event to our client, settled the multi-million dollar case. The settlement was structured to provide our client with a lifetime stream of income.
