Families of Swanston St wall collapse victims will fight for compensation during court hearing in August

THE grieving families of two teenage siblings and a French woman killed in the Swanston St wall collapse will fight for compensation during a two-day court hearing in August.

Alexander Jones had been hailed a hero after leaping to protect Bridget from falling debris during the tragedy in Swanston St.

THE grieving families of two teenage siblings and a French woman killed in the Swanston St wall collapse will fight for compensation during a two-day court hearing in August.

Alexander Jones, 19, his sister Bridget, 18, and Marie-Faith Fiawoo died as a result of being struck by the toppling brick wall bordering a Grocon construction site on March 28, 2013.

Marie-Faith Fiawoo died when during the Swanston St wall collapsed on her in 2013. Picture: AntoineAntoniol/Getty Images

All three were walking along the footpath when a freestanding 15m section of the wall when it fell, crushing them.

In November 2014, Melbourne magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg fined Grocon $250,000 over the deaths after the building giant pleaded guilty to failing to provide a safe workplace.

Today Mr Rozencwajg heard there were six claims for compensation before the court — two by Alexander and Bridget’s parents, Sue and Ian Jones, and four by Ms Fiawoo’s two siblings and parents.

In his application, released by the court, Mr Jones claims he has “suffered an injury, namely grief, distress and trauma” as a result of the family tragedy.

He claims not to have received compensation from the Victims of Crime Administrative Tribunal.

Aussie Signs, a business contracted to attach advertising hoarding to the wall, was fined $250,000 earlier this year and it was found the hoarding reduced the wall’s ability to withstand high winds.

A mention has been scheduled in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court for August 8, with a two-day hearing set down for August 23 and 24.

Mr Rozencwajg encouraged both parties to resolve the matter before then.

“If the matter could achieve some resolution to avoid litigation, that would be a benefit to everyone,” he said.