New York readers may be interested to learn that around 30 people were injured when a clubhouse floor collapsed in South Carolina in the early hours of Oct. 21. The accident took place during a private party near Clemson University.
Attendees were dancing on the first level of an apartment complex clubhouse at around 12:30 a.m. when a portion of the floor suddenly gave way, dumping dozens of people into the building's basement. Apparently, the incident occurred when a popular song started playing and a large crowd of people started jumping on the floor. A video posted on social media showed the moment the floor gave way.
The Clemson City Police Department said that at around 30 people suffered injuries and were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Luckily, no one was trapped beneath the rubble and none of the injuries were thought to be life-threatening. Witnesses said that some of the victims appeared to have broken legs and ankles. The condo property manager said the complex was built between 2004 and 2005. He declined to say whether the clubhouse had a capacity limit. A private group leased the building for the party.
Business owners are legally required to make sure their properties are safe for public use. They are also supposed to make sure that capacity limits and other safety rules are followed. People who are injured on a business property may want to discuss with an attorney the advisability of filing a premises liability lawsuit against the responsible party. If the suit is successful, victims could obtain an award that covers medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other accident-related damages.
Source: TIME, "Dozens Hurt in South Carolina as Floor Collapses at an Apartment Party", Oct. 21, 2018