Vancouver: Longtime Vancouver studio Pinewood Sound has won a precedent-setting legal case for businesses that have suffered from neighboring construction. The award: $1.8 million plus interest.

Pinewood president Geoff Turner says business for the once market-leading post-production company took a nosedive when building began on a next-door highrise condominium in the early ’90s. The studio suffered structural damage that forced the 20-year business to begin turning away work, Turner says. ‘We just couldn’t in good faith accept bookings,’ he explains.

Clients, therefore, took their sound projects to other suppliers and Pinewood’s position in the Vancouver market was eroded.

Since the highrise was completed, Pinewood has rebuilt its sound studios and is reclaiming some of its lost business, says Turner. ‘It will take another two or three years before we are back on our feet,’ he adds.

The decision for the legal case, which was launched in early ’92, is currently under appeal and might be resolved by next spring or fall. IE