Groom’s mother wins $2.3m settlement after freak accident during son’s wedding ceremony

A freak accident at her son’s wedding in Illinois left the groom’s mother with permanent injuries and an astonishing $2.3 million.

On what should have been 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 wedding in 2021.

Davis was reportedly standing directly under the chuppah when the estimated 87-pound structure collapsed, hitting her in the neck and back.

The ceremonial structure is said to have fallen after wedding guests walked up to the canopy to congratulate the newlyweds after the couple performed the customary ceremony of breaking the glass.

On behalf of Davis and her husband, Edward, a lawsuit was filed against the Skokie-based banquet hall, Ateres Ayala (pictured), and its parent company, Luxe Catering LLC, as well as the maker of the unstable upholstery, Jose Vargas Ortega. , after the unexpected incident

The 55-year-old racked up a whopping $325,000 in medical bills after the tragic accident, including treatment for a concussion, tinnitus and spinal surgery.

Davis’ injuries to her inner ear and cervical spine have since been deemed “permanent in nature.”

On behalf of Davis and her husband, Edward, a lawsuit was filed against the Skokie-based banquet hall, Ateres Ayala, and its parent company, Luxe Catering LLC, as well as the creator of the unstable upholstery, Jose Vargas Ortega, after the unexpected event.

One of Davis’ attorneys, Timothy Cavanagh, claimed the entire incident was “easily preventable” and “should never have happened.”

‘It was possible that the chuppah could have been hit at that point, causing it to collapse. Either way, it wasn’t supposed to fall,” added another of Davis’ attorneys, Marc McCallister.

On September 13, nearly three years after her son’s wedding, a $2.3 million settlement was reached with the defendants, as Davis family attorneys argued: “If the case went to trial, we were prepared to to present video of the collapse and undisputed testimony that Ateres and Luxe’s ​​failure to return the chuppah to structurally sound condition was the cause of the collapse.”

“If Ateres and Luxe had 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.

On September 13, nearly three years after her son’s wedding, a $2.3 million settlement was reached with the defendants, as Davis family attorneys argued: “If the case went to trial, we were prepared to to present video of the collapse and undisputed testimony that Ateres and Luxe’s ​​failure to properly secure the chuppah in a structurally sound condition was the cause of the collapse’

Davis was reportedly standing directly under the chuppah when the estimated 87-pound structure collapsed, hitting her in the neck and back. In the photo: a Jewish wedding chuppah

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, grapevines or lace.

The canopy-like canopy is designed to symbolize the family’s new roof and the couple’s intention to create a new home and life together.