New details are emerging about the structural integrity of the Servite High School stage in Anaheim which collapsed Saturday night and injured 28 girls from Rosary High School, Servite’s sister Catholic school in Fullerton. According to authorities nearly 250 girls were performing in an event called the Red and Gold Rally when an apron covering the orchestra folded, and students tumbled 10 feet into the orchestra pit.
Servite High School immediately launched an internal investigation regarding the integrity of the stage according to school President Peter S. Bowen. That investigation quickly found that no building permit seems to exist for the stage apron, which covers the orchestra pit and was built in the early 1980s as it was not part of the original theater construction. In a statement released on the school’s website, President Bowen had the following words:
Since the incident, our primary focus has been on Rosary students, especially those who were injured, and on those audience members who witnessed the incident. We deeply appreciate your trust and patience as we moved through the investigative process to determine why this incident occurred.
Other investigations by the Anaheim Fire Marshal and Diocese of Orange are also underway and are expected to take several weeks. These other investigations will also examine if the original stage permit included a weight restriction or a limit on the number of people the stage could hold.
Considering all the questions regarding the integrity of the stage and the lack of proper permits by the school, it seems those unfortunate students who suffered moderate injuries, including broken bones, bruises and scrapes following the incident, will have legitimate personal injury cases against the school.
If you or someone you care about was recently injured while on someone else’s property, it is important to discuss the details of your accident with a knowledgeable Orange County personal injury lawyer. You will need to understand what your rights and legal options to seek compensation are and a legal representative can give you the answers and advice you need.
At Cohn & Swartzon, P.C., our competent legal team is prepared to relentlessly represent in and out of the courtroom. These types of cases can be complex and require that your lawyer be an extensively experienced negotiator and litigator with a proven ability to win. We possess these attributes and can provide you with the high level of advocacy and guidance you need in your case. Our focus and top priority in each and every case we take on is to produce the best result possible and we are unyielding when it comes to pursuing this goal.
