Former SCAD student sues after falling from Turner House
By Jamee Shae
After a year and a half of surgeries, rehabilitation and over $600,000 in medical bills, a lawsuit was filed Oct. 1 on behalf of 20-year-old former SCAD student Meagan Petry, who fell five stories from Turner House due to a faulty rail she was leaning on.
Local attorneys Richard Middleton, Jr. and W. Andrew Bowen are representing Petry in her case against Beers Skansca Inc., Roberto Beachamp, who built the rail, Atlantic Steel and SCAD’s University Housing Services.
Bowen took time to speak about the case, saying that Petry and her family have filed a complaint of negligence for “failing to maintain the guard rail” and “not weld[ing the rail] together.” Bowen could not discuss the amount of money Petry is suing for, however, the amount in medical bills is likely to be included in the settlement requested.
On March 23, 2008, as SCAD students returned from spring break, Petry was leaning on a rail in the top floor hallway of Turner House. The rail suddenly broke, causing her to fall with the broken metal following her. She landed on the grass behind Turner House, sustaining multiple injuries including superficial cuts and scrapes in addition to broken bones and teeth.
Immediately following the fall, Petry was sent and treated at Memorial University Medical Center where she had numerous surgeries, which included implanting rods and screws in order to repair broken bones.
Right after this accident, rails around Turner house along with other SCAD facilities underwent repairs and inspections to secure railings to prevent further accidents.
Though Petry has recovered from her surgeries, she has been in her hometown of Absecon, N.J., continuing rehabilitation treatments.
Due to the case, Bowen had no word about Petry’s feelings on the accident and the trial, but after the fall, is she going to come back to SCAD?
“[Meagan] loves SCAD and everything it has to offer, but her health does not permit her to go. It has not been feasible,” Bowen said.
Petry’s case file can be found on the Chatham County Court Case System.
