Lightscape Operators Sued After Display Collapses, Injures Women: Lawsuit

GLENCOE, IL — A lawsuit filed Monday morning accuses the operators of the holiday showcase Lightscape of negligence and misconduct after two women were reportedly injured when a display fell on them and their children.

According to the lawsuit, Ariel James, her children and Shelli Loesch attended Lightscape the night of Dec. 20. While viewing an exhibit that included a projector screen with lights cast on it, the exhibit's supports suddenly collapsed on top of the group, the lawsuit claims.

Due to the incident, Loesch sustained a complex fracture of her left ankle, a fracture of her left tibia, and a fracture of her coccyx, according to the lawsuit. Additionally, Loesch sustained a head injury that caused her to lose consciousness.

James sustained a complex fracture of her left wrist, a left shoulder injury and a head injury, according to the lawsuit.

Culture Creative LTD, which operates Lightscape, the Chicago Horticultural Society INC. and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County were named as defendants in the suit. Both women accused Culture Creative LTD and the Chicago Horticultural Society of negligence and accused the Forest Preserve District of misconduct.

The women claim that the organizers failed to adequately set up the display in accordance with their own standards, which state that displays can withstand winds up to 45 mph. According to TimeAndDate.com wind speeds were approximately 16 mph that night in Glencoe, where the showcase is located.

Patch reached out to the Chicago Botanic Gardens for comment, but wasn't immediately available to reach a spokesperson.