Case against city in porch collapse suit will go forward

By Vince Mancini

Published on September 08, 2005

Cook County Judge Jeffrey Lawrence ruled that relatives of the victims and some of the more than 57 injured in the collapse have a "legally sufficient claim" that city inspectors failed to adequately inspect the porch.

The city had asked to be dropped from the lawsuit, which also names the building's owners and the contractor who built the porch.

City attorneys had argued that allowing the case would set a precedent that could leave municipalities vulnerable to unlimited lawsuits.

Judge Lawrence disagreed, but granted the city's request to dismiss the plaintiff's claim that it spoiled evidence by cleaning debris from the porch after the collapse.

The city has said the porch in the Lincoln Park neighborhood was built without construction permits and not according to code.