Wrongful Death Lawsuit Over Collapsed Stairwell In Illinois Settled For $700,000
A wrongful death lawsuit filed by the estate of Charles Gaston against the city of Danville was settled for $700,000. According to the lawsuit 17-year old Gaston was found in a collapsed stairwell at the Danville Illinois parking garage at the corner of North and Walnut streets. Mr. Gaston died of severe head injuries, according to a coroner's report. The lawsuit alleged that the city knew or should have known that the stairwell needed repairs or replacement which is a basic negligence complaint.
Three years before the accident, the parking garage stairwell was inspected by McClintock Civil Engineering Service, which reported to the city that the stairway was beginning to fail and cited an accumulation of "pack rust," a collection of rust between metal parts, as the problem. The engineer also reported that the stairwell had no connection at its base and that it was very springy and would be prone to collapse under occupant load. I can't believe this was allowed to go unrepaired.
It is amazing to me that the report prepared by the engineering firm stated that the city could replace the stairway but concluded that would be expensive and wasn't necessary. The engineer recommended two options: a $30,000 replacement of the stairwell or an $8,500 option to repair it. The city chose the less expensive repair option--an now just paid $700,000. Not much of a cost savings was it?
