Church sued for floor collapse

By Trudy Beyak - Abbotsford News - May 08, 2008

Family members embrace following collapse of 24 ft by 24 ft section of the floor in front of the stage during a christian rock concert.

John Van Putten Photo

A Mennonite church is facing a class-action lawsuit.

A Richmond law firm has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the father of two Abbotsford teens, alleging they were injured on April 25 when the floor collapsed during a Starfield concert at Central Heights Church.

Seventeen-year-old Sarah Williams suffered a concussion, brain trauma, and back, wrist and hip injuries. Her sister, Jennifer Williams, 19, suffered arm injuries, according to a statement of claim filed in the Supreme Court of B.C.

Barbara Webster-Evans, a lawyer with Webster and Associates, told The Abbotsford News others may join the class-action lawsuit.

The Mennonite Brethren church and concert promoter Unite Productions are named as defendants in the lawsuit filed by the father, Michael Williams, a contractor from Abbotsford.

The floor at the McCallum Road church caved in during the Christian rock concert attended by more than 1,000 people.

A number of people were jumping on the floor in front of the stage when the floor gave way and several church pews, heavy sound equipment and about 70 people fell through a gaping hole into the basement.

No one died in the accident, but 44 people suffered various degrees of injuries and were treated by paramedics at the church, or were transported to emergency departments at four Fraser Valley hospitals.

The two teens in the lawsuit are unknown to the church’s executive pastor.

They were not named on the original list of injured people that was compiled by paramedics and church officials on the night of the accident, said executive Pastor Steve Boakes of Central Heights Church.

Meanwhile, he is not surprised a lawsuit has been launched.

The first concern for the church is that everyone who was injured gets better and that everyone with a legitimate claim for compensation gets all the financial help they need to recover, Boakes said.

The church has adequate insurance to cover the incident, Boakes said, adding that the lawyer for the church’s insurance company will determine the legitimacy of any claims brought forward.

The pastor did not divulge the name of the insurance company.

According to a press release issued by Webster and Associates, Williams is a contractor in Abbotsford who was motivated to start the lawsuit to ensure victims are supported so they can recover the best way possible.

The lawsuit alleges the church and the promoter failed to ensure the safety of the people who attended the concert.

Among a number of allegations, the plaintiffs say the church was negligent of failing to take adequate measures to ensure the premises were a safe venue for a musical concert and to make sure the structural condition of the floor was safe.

The law firm explained that if the legal class-action suit is successful, the insurance money will be distributed according to the need and the seriousness of the injuries of the victims, rather than dispersing funds under the control of the insurance company.

It usually takes six months for the court to decide if it makes sense to proceed with a class action, according to Webster and Associates.

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Church sued for floor collapse

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