Porch collapse leads to lawsuit against landlords

A Chicago tenant is suing her landlords over injuries she claims she sustained when her porch collapsed.

Kathy Cater filed a lawsuit March 11 in Cook County Circuit Court against William W. Frapolly and Patricia Davino.

According to the complaint, the defendants own and operate an apartment building in the 2600 block of West Haddon Street, where Cater rented an apartment. On March 18, 2013, Cater claims a railing on her front porch collapsed, causing her to fall.

Cater accuses the defendants of railing to maintain a safe environment, allowing the railing to remain un-repaired when the structure was rotted, failing to warn her of the hazard and willfully neglecting to inspect the premises. The existing rail was also under the 42-inch height required by local building code, the suit says.

She seeks damages in excess of $30,000, plus attorney fees and costs, and is represented by attorney Loren Siegel of Loren B. Siegel & Associates in Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court case number: 2015-L-002493.