Lawyer: Woman buried in Philly building collapse lost both legs

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A woman who survived nearly 13 hours in the rubble of a building collapse that killed six people has lost both legs at the pelvis, her lawyer said today.

Mariya Plekan, 52, an immigrant from Ukraine, remains hospitalized in serious condition, nearly two weeks after a brick wall collapsed onto an adjacent thrift store and buried her in debris, attorney Andrew Stern told The Philadelphia Inquirer.

“She’s paid a heavy price,” said Stern, who intends to sue on her behalf. “Half her body was removed. But when I get done, all the people responsible are going to pay, because this shouldn’t have happened.”

A demolition subcontractor has been charged with six counts of involuntary manslaughter after police say he was high on marijuana and painkillers while operating heavy equipment just before the collapse. City council hearings into the collapse begin Wednesday.