Paul Rojas, Dylan Crone Injured In Apollo Theatre Roof Collapse Accident

Unsafe Premises - April 14, 2023

Paul Rojas, Dylan Crone Among 40 People Injured In Belvidere Roof Collapse During Concert At Apollo Theatre

Paul Rojas, Dylan Crone Injured In Apollo Theatre Roof Collapse Accident

BELVIDERE, ILLINOIS (April 13, 2023) – Paul Rojas, Dylan Crone and over 40 other people were injured when the roof of the Apollo Theatre collapsed during a Morbid Angel concert.

Boone County officials are saying that the accident took place on Friday night March, 31st. Paul Rojas, Dylan Crone and many other people were at the Apollo Theatre in order to watch a performance by the death metal band Morbid Angel.

A thunderous crack could be heard by the crowd before they were showered by falling pieces of concert and debris. There was a severe storm playing outside when the roof collapsed.

Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help all of the victims. Paul Rojas, Dylan Crone were rescued from the scene and transported to the hospital.

Over 40 other people were also injured in the roof collapse. Tragically, one person died due to their injuries. A full investigation into the accident remains ongoing at this time.

Liability For Apollo Theatre Roof Collapses

Roof collapses are much more common than many people realize. They often occur during the winter months. 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.” It is possible for roof collapses to be prevented. There are many steps that can be taken in order to prevent roof collapses.

  • Gutters on the roof of a building should be regularly cleared.
  • Buildings and roofs should be regularly inspected for leaks.
  • Leaks on the roof of a building should be repaired as soon as possible.

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. If a property owner does not maintain their premises in a safe condition, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. For example, a property owner may have failed to repair a roof that showed signs of structural damage.

The company that built a property could also face civil liability for a roof collapse. Structural engineers and construction companies have a legal obligation to do everything in their power to prevent collapses. There are building codes that need to be followed. Roofs must be properly reinforced and braced. If a construction company fails to design a reasonably safe roof and it collapses, they could face civil liability. Victims of roof collapses tend to suffer very serious and costly injuries including:

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

Many victims of roof collapses may not realize the full extent of their injuries for several weeks or months after the incident. It is crucial that all evidence is preserved after any roof collapse. Evidence is what will ultimately be necessary to determine liability for any roof collapse. Victims of roof collapses may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering.

Investigating An Apollo Theatre Collapse

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to Paul Rojas, Dylan Crone and all of the people injured in this accident at the Apollo Theatre. It is our sincere hope that they will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong for the sake of all of the victims and their families.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a roof collapse? You may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. Our team of building 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 more information about any incident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.