Ceiling collapse at apartment building leads to personal injury claim

A Philadelphia woman who claims she sustained various physical injuries after a leaky ceiling collapsed on top of her in her former apartment is suing the building’s owner.

Philadelphia attorney Stephen A. Corbman filed the personal injury lawsuit July 18 at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on behalf of Mia Scott.

The defendant named in the lawsuit is Jasy, Inc., located at 112 W. Johnson St. in Northwest Philadelphia.

According to the complaint, Scott was inside her then-apartment at 136 W. Allens Lane back on Aug. 23, 2009, when a ceiling that had become saggy due to a leak collapsed on her.

As a result of the incident, Scott suffered injuries to her lower back, right foot, right ankle, left knee and nervous system, the lawsuit claims.

The incident also affected Scott’s “psychological and psychiatric well-being,” and aggravated pre-existing conditions, the specifics of which are not listed in the lawsuit.

“As a further result of the accident, Plaintiff has undergone great physical pain, suffered severe pain and nervous shock, and mental anguish, and will continue to do so for an indefinite period of time in the future, to her great detriment and loss,” according to the complaint.

In the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that the incident was solely due to the carelessness, negligence and recklessness of the defendant, who is accused of failing to maintain the premises in a condition that would protect and safeguard people on the property; failing to have the property inspected; failing to warn tenants of the dangerous condition that existed; and otherwise failing to exercise proper and due care under the circumstances.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff has been, or will be obliged to receive and undergo medical attention for the treatment of her injuries, something that has caused, and will cause her to expend various sums of money.

In addition to financial hardship related to medical care, the incident has caused Scott to experience a loss of earnings and earning power.

Scott seeks judgment against the defendant in an amount not in excess of $50,000.

The non-jury case has been scheduled for arbitration in March.

The case number is 110701586.