1 Killed, 28 Injured In Belvidere’s Apollo Theatre Roof Collapse

Unsafe Premises - April 2, 2023

One Person Died, 28 Other Injured In Belvidere’s Apollo Theatre Roof Collapse During Concert

1 Killed, 28 Injured In Belvidere's Apollo Theatre Roof Collapse

BELVIDERE, ILLINOIS (April 1, 2023) – One person was killed and 28 others were injured in a Belvidere roof collapse accident at the Apollo Theatre during a concert.

Boone County officials are saying that the accident took place late Friday. Many people were gathered to observe a concert as severe storms pounded the area.

At some point during the night the roof of the Apollo Theatre partially collapsed. Debris fell down and injured a number of people.

Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help all of the victims. Tragically, one person died due to their injuries.

Eighteen people were taken to the hospital with moderate injuries. Another 10 people were treated for minor injuries.

Taina Bergamaschi and the band Crypta were performing around the time of the collapse. A full investigation into the roof collapse at the Apollo Theatre remains ongoing at this time.

Liability For Belvidere Roof Collapse Accidents

Roof collapses may seem like freak occurrences, but they are far more common than many people may realize. Many collapses are weather related. According to Structure Magazine, “The winter of 2010-2011 was particularly snowy in the Northeast. Heavy snows resulted in nearly 500 problem roofs in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island, of which 382 were full or partial collapses.” There are a number of steps that can be taken to prevent roof collapses.

  • Gutters should be kept clear.
  • Snow should be frequently removed from roofs.
  • Roofs should be periodically inspected and well maintained.

Pursuant to Illinois Civil Code 740 ILCS 130/2, all property owners in Illinois have a legal obligation to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. When a property owner has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition with their property, they must take action. For example, a property owner may have known that a section of a roof was beginning to sag and may need repair.

The company that created a building or a roof could also be liable for a roof collapse. Roofs often collapse when they are not properly braced or constructed. It is common for contractors to try to save on expenses by buying cheaper building materials. But this can often backfire with lethal consequences. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any roof collapse.

  • Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
  • Medical records should be preserved.
  • A structural engineer should examine the collapse.
  • A thorough investigation should be conducted.

It can be hard to know where to begin after any roof collapse. Property owners will be quick to call these events accidents. But this does not change the fact that many roof collapses are totally preventable. Any person that is injured in a roof collapse may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the expenses that often come with a serious injury.

Investigating A Belvidere Roof Collapse Accident

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of the man that died in this roof collapse at the Apollo Theatre. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened for the sake of all of the victims.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Belvidere Roof collapse accident? Our team of consumer safety advocates are here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support after an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.