Manningham City Council among 10 being sued for 2017 balcony collapse at Doncaster East

A terrifying balcony collapse that claimed the lives of two women and injured 17 others at Doncaster East has returned to court, as the survivors seek compensation for ongoing harm.

Survivors of a harrowing plunge to earth caused by a balcony collapse at a Christmas party are seeking compensation in court for ongoing injuries.

Guests fell nearly 3m during the 2017 Doncaster East disaster, which claimed the lives of two women and injured 17 others.

The deaths included that of much loved mother-of-two Cheryl Taylor and 37-year-old Sarah Kajoba, who was rushed to hospital with a head injury but could not be saved.

Adored mother Cheryl Taylor, who died after a balcony collapsed at a Tupperware Christmas party, was remembered for her warm personality and humour.

The guests had gone to the rented house for a Tupperware Christmas party.

At least 15 of the party guests are now suing for harm caused to them during the celebration.

A civil trial, with 10 defendants, was slated to begin at the William Cooper Justice Centre on Monday but did not proceed.

A barrister, speaking on behalf of multiple defendants in the case, said they believed the matter could be resolved differently, with some parties going to mediation, some dropping out of the action altogether and others going to a directions hearing at a later date.

The defendants included Manningham City Council and a real estate agent.

The balcony at the Doncaster East property, before the collapse in 2017.

Slater and Gordon public liability associate Teni Sarris, representing the seven guests in the legal action, said people had suffered.

“Our lead plaintiff is a man in his 40s who is still affected by his back injury and psychological condition as a result of the traumatic circumstances that night,” she said.

New pictures of the fatal Doncaster East balcony collapse in 2017 have been released at an inquest into the deaths of two Melbourne women.

Coroner Paresa Spanos, who examined the deaths of Ms Taylor and Ms Kajoba, said the balcony had been built in 1987 and did not comply with the plans approved the previous year by Manningham Council.

She found that the load beam was undersized at the time of construction, and combined with poor maintenance, provided inadequate support for the balcony.

The balcony did not meet relevant industry standards for 1987 or 2017.

The inquest heard that the party guests had gathered on the balcony for a photo when the structure splintered with a loud cracking sound and gave way.

There were 35 people and furniture on it when it collapsed.

The case for compensation will return to court for further directions later this month.

New pictures of the fatal Doncaster East balcony collapse in 2017 have been released at an inquest into the deaths of two Melbourne women.