Trial begins in lawsuit over collapse of ceiling

While the Texas company that installed decorative beams that collapsed on Taco Cabana diners in 1993 is out of the civil case, a jury trial has begun against the construction companies involved in the building project.

In all, 14 people were injured in the mishap that has been blamed on the use of short nails by the Texas company to secure the beams.

"These people got injuries, they got misery, they got an uncaring attitude from the defendants," said attorney Bill Hammer, who represents Xan Brousseau in the case against Perkins General Contractors, Marlin Construction and Time Electric Inc.

Defense attorneys are pointing the finger of responsibility at the company that installed the beams, Val Mar Construction, which settled claims against it last month for the $1 million limit of its liability insurance policy. Three other firms and individuals also settled their portions of the lawsuits, although for relatively minor amounts.

Despite Val Mar's settlement, the litigants are seeking millions more for injuries they and their families suffered.

Taco Cabana Inc., the San Antonio-based purveyor of fajitas, quesadillas and other "Tex-Mex" cuisine, is the primary "deep pocket" target, although the chain has suffered severe financial setbacks in recent years and the Las Vegas restaurants have been closed.

Carolynn Towbin, the wife of Towbin Infiniti owner Daniel Towbin, was said to be the single most injured person, suffering two crushed vertebrae in the incident that required two surgeries. The Towbins were in the restaurant with their daughter and son at the time of the disaster.

Others who filed lawsuits as a result of the the incident at 2401 S. Decatur Blvd. were Clifford Fortgang and his children, Linda and Melanie; Coleen Koetje and her children, Adam, Darcie and Erin; and Daniel and Jo-Anne Kristensen.

The lawsuits charged that Taco Cabana "hired unlicensed and unqualified persons to integrate impermissible and unlawful designs and construction methods."

City rules, however, do not require that a company be licensed to install decorative items.

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