UC medical student files lawsuit after balcony collapse at condo complex
By Matthew Dietz, Rachel Whelan
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CINCINNATI (WLWT) — A University of Cincinnati medical student has filed a lawsuit against a condominium complex after a balcony collapsed last month, injuring 10 people.
It happened on Oct. 17, when a balcony collapsed at the Stetson Square condo complex on Stetson Street.
According to the lawsuit, Andrew McGovern was celebrating after finishing an exam when the balcony collapsed, sending him and several others 20 feet down to the pavement.
One person suffered life-threatening injuries, five others had “serious” injuries and four people had minor injuries, according to investigators.
The lawsuit claims the owners of the building should have known the balcony wasn’t properly attached and therefore, was unstable.
Officials with the Cincinnati Fire Department said the 8×12 porch collapsed from the weight of too many people on it.
McGovern, who filed the lawsuit, is seeking at least $25,000. His attorneys say he suffered life-altering injuries and needed surgery.
“He had significant internal injuries, a lacerated spleen, a horribly shattered ankle requiring surgery, plates and screws, and the road to recovery is going to be really, really long,” partner with DiCello Levitt law firm, Ken Abbarno, said.
As McGovern recovers, his legal team is focusing on accountability for the incident.
“We have to make sure that the properties that we’re in are safe, no matter who’s there,” Abbarno said. “And might there be situations where not everything is done that should be done? Yes. And the bad things happen most times when people try to cut corners? Yes.”
The lawsuit does have a court date listed yet.
WLWT has reached out to the defendants in the lawsuit but has not heard back yet.
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