Elliot Lake mall collapse victims' families launch $11.25M lawsuit
A $11.25 million lawsuit has been launched on behalf of two people killed in the collapse of a mall in Elliot Lake, Ont.
Relatives of Lucie Aylwin and Dolores Perizzolo are suing the mall's owner, the company that inspected the mall, Elliot Lake city council, and the ministry of labour. The relatives are seeking $11.25 million in a lawsuit that claims the defendants were negligent and that the condition of the mall was known, but ignored.
The rooftop parking lot of the mall collapsed June 23.
Perizzolo and Aylwin were standing near a lottery kiosk located within the Algo Centre Mall when the roof collapsed on both women and killed them.
"These deaths are a senseless, needless loss that should never have happened," said Roger Oatley of Oatley, Vigmond LLP, the lawyer acting for the families.
"What makes these claims unique is the claim for punitive and aggravated damages. This is Canada, not some unregulated third-world country. The building should have been built according to code. There were expressions of concern by members of the public. And when the building was inspected after those concerns were expressed, experts re-assured the public it was safe."
The mall collapse is currently the subject of a provincial inquiry.
