Light fixture fall spurs premises liability complaint

A worker who, while on break, was struck in the head by a falling light fixture is suing the business that installed the equipment.

Philadelphia attorney Valerie A. Pedicone, of the firm Spivack & Spivack, LLP, filed the premises liability lawsuit July 19 at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on behalf of Philadelphia resident Hope Hairston.

Named as defendants in the suit are Dresher, Pa.-based Wilco Electronic Systems, Inc., and J. Ambrogi Food Distributors, Inc., based in Boothwyn, Pa.

According to the complaint, Hairston was taking a break from work, sitting on a bench on the loading dock area of the Crown Plaza Hotel, when a light fixture that had been suspended 10 to 12 feet above the bench broke away from the exterior wall and fell, striking Hairston on the head.

The incident caused Hairston to blackout, the suit states.

It is believed that employees of J. Ambrogi Food Distributors had accidentally driven a delivery truck into a wall adjoining the light fixture, compromising the structural integrity of the fixture, the lawsuit claims.

Wilco was responsible for repairing, replacing and/or installing light fixtures at the premises, the suit states.

As a result of the incident, Hairston sustained various physical injuries to her back, neck and head, the lawsuit states. The injuries, which may be permanent in nature, have caused Hairston to suffer aches, pains, inconvenience, and loss of life’s pleasures.

Hairston has been caused to spend various amounts of money on medical treatment, the suit states.

The lawsuit accuses the defendants of negligence and carelessness for operating a vehicle in a negligent manner; failing to avoid an avoidable accident; and failing to be attentive to the surrounding area.

For each of the three counts listed in the lawsuit, Hairston demands judgment against the defendants, jointly and severally, in an amount in excess of $50,000, plus attorney’s fees and related court costs.

A jury trial has been demanded.

The case number is 110701700.