Philadelphia Housing Authority hit with slip-and-fall suit

The parents of a boy who allegedly fell and injured himself at the city-owned housing complex at which the family once resided is suing the Philadelphia Housing Authority for injuries they say their son suffered as a result of the May 28, 2007 accident.

Philadelphia attorney John DeVirgilis, of the firm Silver, Miller & DeVirgilis, filed the premises liability complaint May 26 at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on behalf of Theresa Collins and Keith Harris.

The plaintiffs allege that their son, who is a minor, injured himself after falling while navigating the second floor of The Woodstock Family Center at 1981 N. Woodstock Street.

The specifics involving the fall aren’t laid out in the lawsuit, although the defendants, which include the Resources for Human Development, are accused of allowing the premises to develop a dangerous condition or “trap for persons lawfully utilizing the showers and walking in the hallways.”

The complaint says the defendants failed to warn the plaintiff’s of the existence of the unsafe, hazardous and dangerous condition, and for failing to provide adequate safeguards or barriers to protect the public.

As a result of his fall, the child allegedly sustained various injuries, such as a subdural hematoma, contusions, abrasions and lacerations.

The injuries have prevented the minor from carrying out his daily activities and duties, the lawsuit states.

The minor plaintiff demands judgment against the defendants in a sum in excess of the arbitration limits, or $50,000.

The lawsuit contains a separate count in which the parents are also seeking a judgment in excess of the arbitration limits.

The non-jury case is awaiting listing.

The case number is 110502996.