PHA faces lawsuit over falling ceiling incident

A Philadelphia man who claims he suffered a range of physical injuries after a ceiling fell on top of him at a city-owned housing facility is suing the Philadelphia Housing Authority in civil court.

Philadelphia attorney Marc F. Greenfield, of the city firm Spear, Greenfield & Richman, P.C., filed the personal injury lawsuit July 20 at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff, Braheem Wooden, was inside a PHA-operated building at 3106 W. Berks St. on May 14, 2010, when the ceiling above him suddenly dropped, and landed on his person.

As a result of the incident, Wooden sustained a left shoulder separation, left shoulder contusion, head trauma, left shoulder subluxation, aggravation of pre-existing conditions and other ills and injuries, “all to plaintiff’s great loss and detriment,” the lawsuit states.

Because of his injuries, Wooden has experienced “great financial detriment and loss,” the suit states, and may in the future continue to suffer great pain, anguish, sickness and agony.

Wooden also allegedly suffered emotional injuries along with the apparent physical trauma.

The lawsuit accuses the defendant, the Philadelphia Housing Authority, of negligence, carelessness and recklessness for failing to properly inspect the ceilings, roofs, drywall and plaster to see if there were any dangerous or defective conditions; failing to barricade or block-off the dangerous area of the premises; and failing to exercise proper care, custody and control over the aforesaid premises.

In addition to incurring various medical expenses relating to his injuries, the plaintiff has also experienced a loss in earnings because of the accident, the lawsuit claims.

Wooden seeks judgment against the defendant in an amount in excess of $50,000, plus attorney’s fees and related costs.

A jury trial has been demanded.

The case number is 110701881.