Couple sues landlord after Evanston porch collapse

A north suburban couple is suing their landlord after a Memorial Day party porch collapse at their Evanston apartment.

A dozen people were on the porch about 8:45 p.m. for a holiday gathering at the second-floor unit in the 1900 block of Darrow Avenue when it collapsed, according to a statement from Evanston City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz.

Another person was outside on the first-floor porch, where the top porch came to a rest, city officials said.

Four people were taken to Presence St. Francis Hospital and NorthShore University HealthSystem with minor injuries, officials said. Others were treated at the scene and released.

In a lawsuit filed Friday in Cook County Circuit Court, tenants Tracy and Christopher Skaggs claim their landlord, Dr. C.R. Bradford, didn’t warn them about unsafe conditions on the porch and didn’t keep it in good repair up to city code. Bradford could not immediately be reached for comment.

The two-count negligence suit seeks an unspecified amount in damages.