Former fire chief suing City of Penticton, Global Spectrum

The City of Penticton and Global Spectrum Facility Management, operators of the South Okanagan Events Centre, are facing a civil suit launched by a former fire chief.

Retired Penticton Fire Chief Douglas Hutcheson filed the suit Feb. 11, claiming damages of an unspecified amount following a fall at the events centre on Nov. 22, 2019.

According to documents filed in Supreme Court, Hutcheson went to the South Okanagan Events Centre’s Vault Restaurant on Nov. 22, 2019.

He was moving through the restaurant’s self-serve buffet line when he slipped and fell on “greasy residue on the floor,” according to the documents.

Hutcheson is claiming damages for injuries that include damage to a partial knee replacement, ligament and tendon damage, soft tissue strain, contusions, abrasions, swelling, permanent partial disability and other injuries.

The claim also seeks damages for pain, suffering, loss of homemaking capacity, expenses for medical and rehabilitative treatments, general damages, costs for future care and other special damages costs.

Hutcheson claims the fall was caused by negligence in designing a floor that could become slippery, and failing to take steps to remediate, inspect or warn patrons of the hazard.

Hutcheson served on the Penticton Fire Department from July 1970 to July 2001, according to his LinkedIn page.

City of Penticton communications manager Philip Cooper said in an email the City is working with its liability insurance company, Municipal Insurance Association of British Columbia, and Spectra (and its insurance company) to review and determine next steps on this claim.

"As this matter is before the courts, we will not be providing any further comments at this time," Cooper wrote. 

The allegations have not been proven in court and neither the City of Penticton nor Global Spectrum Facility Management have filed a statement of defence.

— This story was updated at 12:21 p.m. Feb. 13, 2020, to add comment from the City of Penticton.

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