A freak accident at her son’s Illinois wedding left the mother of the groom with permanent injuries and an astonishing $2.3 million.
On what was supposed to be one of the happiest days of her life Janet Davis, 55, suffered injuries to her spine and inner ear after a chuppah – a wedding canopy used in Jewish wedding ceremonies – fell on her during her son’s 2021 wedding.
Davis was reportedly standing directly below the chuppah when the estimated 87-pound structure collapsed, striking her on the neck and back.
The ceremonial structure is said to have fallen after wedding guests walked up to the canopy to congratulate the newlywed couple after the pair performed the customary breaking of the glass ceremony.
The 55-year-old incurred a whopping $325,000 in medical bills after the tragic accident, which included treatment for a concussion, tinnitus and spine surgery.
Davis’ injuries to her inner ear and cervical spine have since been noted as ‘permanent in nature.’
A lawsuit was filed on behalf of Davis and her husband, Edward, against the Skokie-based banquet hall, Ateres Ayala, and its parent company, Luxe Catering LLC, as well as the maker of the unstable covering, Jose Vargas Ortega, following the unexpected incident.
One of the Davis’ attorneys, Timothy Cavanagh, claimed the entire incident was ‘easily preventable’ and ‘never should have happened.’
‘It was possible that the chuppah might have been bumped into then, causing the collapse. Either way it was not supposed to fall,’ another of the Davis’ attorneys, Marc McCallister added.
On September 13, nearly 3 years after her son’s wedding, a $2.3 million settlement was reached with the defendants as the Davis family’s attorneys argued: ‘If the case went to trial, we were prepared to present video of the collapse and unrebutted testimony that Ateres and Luxe’s failure to secure the chuppah in a structurally sound condition properly was the cause of the collapse.’
‘Had Ateres and Luxe properly secured the chuppah, it would not have collapsed, Janet Davis’ injuries would have been avoided and the family would have enjoyed a beautiful wedding celebration,’ Cavanagh added.
According to McCallister, Ateres Ayala paid $550,000 in restitution, Ortega paid $10,000 in restitution and Luxe Catering paid the remaining $1.74 million.
A chuppah is often made of silk or velvet, but can be made from almost anything, including a quilt made from guest contributions or a family heirloom.
The ceremonial structure is typically supported by four poles and is often decorated with flowers, ribbons, grape vines or lace.
The canopy-like covering is designed to symbolize the new roof of the family and the couple’s intention to create a new home and life together.