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Drunk woman who fell off balcony claims York College, sororities and fraternities responsible for her injuries

PENNSYLVANIA RECORD

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Drunk woman who fell off balcony claims York College, sororities and fraternities responsible for her injuries

Federal Court
Beer

HARRISBURG — A New York woman who became intoxicated and fell off a balcony at York College of Pennsylvania Spring Garden Apartments while attending a series of parties is suing the sororities and fraternities that hosted the parties, the college and others, claiming the alcohol and illicit drugs provided at the events contributed to her injuries. 

According to the Sept. 20 U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania filing, plaintiff Savannah Ruiz-Rivera has filed suit against the defendants York College of Pennsylvania, York College doing business as Spring Garden Apartments, a total of eight different sororities, fraternities and others. 

The suit states in September 2017, Rivera was attending a series of fraternity and sorority parties when she became intoxicated and fell off a balcony. She alleges was found the next morning on the ground under the balcony and suffered injuries to her spine, flaccid paralysis of her legs, a rib fracture and head injury.

"The alcoholic beverages negligently, carelessly, recklessly and/or illegally served to plaintiff, Savannah Ruiz-Rivera, by defendants, York College of Pennsylvania, Phi Kappa Psi, Kappa Delta Phi, Zeta Beta Tau, Sigma Delta Tau, Bryan Soto, and/or John Doe 1-10 and/or their agents, servants, and/or employees, caused and/or substantially contributed to plaintiff, Savannah Rivera-Ruiz’s state of intoxication," the plaintiff's complaint states.  

Rivera also alleges in her suit that party attendees who were underage or "visibly intoxicated" were served alcohol, that illegal drugs were also provided to individuals at the parties and that the balcony was unsafe. She alleges the defendants failed to regard her rights, safety and position.

Rivera seeks more than $75,000 in compensatory and punitive damages and litigation costs. 

The plaintiff is represented by Martin Rubenstein and Kyle Keller of Levy Baldante Finney & Ruenstein PC.

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