BC judge dismisses Coquitlam fall suit, cites plaintiff's lunges.

A negligence lawsuit against the owner of Coquitlam Centre and its security contractor was dismissed by a British Columbia Supreme Court judge on November 27, 2025, after it was ruled the man's own actions caused his fall and knee injury in November 2022, a decision that clarifies the legal responsibilities of property managers during construction. The case was brought by Jordan Lee Petrunia, who dislocated his knee after falling in the mall's food court during a period of renovations.

The defendants in the case were Pensionfund Realty Limited and Paladin Security Group. Pensionfund Realty is a privately-held real estate company owned by several large Canadian institutional investors and holds property across the country, including Coquitlam Centre. Paladin Security Group, founded in 1976, has grown from a small operation into one of the largest security companies in North America, with over 30,000 employees.

The fall occurred on November 17, 2022, while the food court's flooring was being replaced. The area had temporary plywood transitions that were covered by carpet and secured with tape. Multiple yellow caution signs warning of uneven and wet surfaces were present in the area. Security video footage was reviewed as part of the legal proceedings. The video showed Mr. Petrunia "twirling" and then performing two deep lunges immediately before he fell backward. It was determined that these movements led to his loss of balance. His friends, who were with him, were not seen to have any difficulty walking on the same surface.

Mr. Petrunia's explanation for the fall changed during the course of the proceedings, initially stating his heel was caught on tape and later suggesting his foot went into a gap beneath the carpet. However, the judge, Justice Sandra Sukstorf, found that the video evidence did not support these claims. Evidence was also presented by the construction contractor for the renovation, Ledcor Construction. Ledcor, a diversified construction company founded in 1947, has been involved in many large-scale projects in North America and has a strong focus on safety protocols. The company provided records showing that the temporary flooring was inspected daily and was secure. Photographs taken after the incident showed no lifted carpet or loose tape.

The legal basis for the case falls under British Columbia's Occupiers' Liability Act. This law requires property occupiers to take reasonable steps to ensure visitors are safe, but it does not demand that a property be free of all possible risks. The judge concluded that the defendants had met this legal standard. The inspections, warning signs, and the standard practice of using taped carpet during renovations were all considered reasonable safety measures. Mr. Petrunia acknowledged that he was aware of the ongoing construction but had failed to pay attention to his surroundings. The judge stated the fall was a result of his own failure to be aware of his own safety. The lawsuit was dismissed, and the defendants were awarded court costs.