Mark Atkinson Injured In Apollo Theatre Roof Collapse Accident

Unsafe Premises - April 29, 2023

(Metal) Mark Atkinson Injured In Belvidere Roof Collapse Accident At Apollo Theatre During Concert —> GoFundMe Created To Help Victim

Mark Atkinson Injured In Apollo Theatre Roof Collapse Accident

BELVIDERE, ILLINOIS (April 29, 2023) – Mark Atkinson was identified as one of dozens of people injured in the roof collapse accident at the Apollo Theatre in Belvidere.

Boone County officials are saying that the incident took place around 7:30 p.m. on Friday. A large number of people were gathered at the Apollo Theatre during a severe weather storm.

The onlookers were watching Morbid Angel perform. During the concert, numerous people were reported hearing a lout crack from the ceiling before they were hit by falling debris.

Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help the victim. Mark Atkinson was one of the dozens of people injured by the roof collapse. He was pinned under the rubble before being rescued.

He was taken to the hospital in order to receive treatment. Sadly, one person died following the collapse.

You can help support Mark Atkinson through GoFundMe.

Liability For Roof Collapse Accidents

Roof collapses are more likely to occur during periods of extreme weather. According to the University of Minnesota, “Winter storms in Minnesota and other sections of the upper Midwest can dump large amounts of snow and ice on agricultural building roofs which can lead to a roof collapse.” There are a number of steps property owner should take in order to prevent a roof collapse.

  • Buildings should be regularly inspected and properly maintained.
  • The gutters on a building should be regularly cleared to prevent water buildup.
  • Snow should be removed from the roof of buildings after severe weather.

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, they must take action to remedy the dangerous condition. For example, a dangerous condition might be created if water erodes the structural integrity of beams supporting a roof. Victims of roof collapses tend to suffer very serious injuries including:

  • Broken bones
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Head trauma
  • Lacerations

It is crucial that all evidence is properly preserved after any roof collapse. Evidence is what will ultimately be necessary to demonstrate liability for any accident. Any person that is injured in a roof collapse may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. A civil claim can help cover many of the expenses that come with a serious injury.

Investigating An Apollo Theatre Roof Collapse Accident

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to Mark Atkinson and all of the other people injured in this accident. It is our sincere hope that everyone will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened for the sake of everyone that was injured.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Belvidere roof collapse? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of premises liability attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims get the support and information that they are entitled to. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.