A state appellate court ruled today that the City of Chicago cannot be held responsible for injuries and deaths related to the 2003 Lincoln Park porch collapse.

The opinion overturns a lower court decision that would have allowed the case against the city to move forward.

The case was brought on behalf of those injured and killed when a porch attached to a building at 713 West Wrightwood, collapsed on June 28, 2003 during a party.

The victims argued the city was at fault because inspectors failed to follow up on code violations at the building.

The city argued that it was not responsible for protecting citizens from the hazards caused by building-code violations.

Kate Sansone, a spokeswoman for the city's law department, said the dispute in this case is actually between the victims and the property owner.

"The city's response is that this could be good news for the city in future cases," she said.

Patrick Murphy, who represented the victims, said the law shouldn't safeguard the city from negligent behavior.

The city failed to take action after the porch had been inspected and found to be structurally unsafe, he said.

"I believe that is reckless when the inspector is there and does nothing," said Murphy.

He plans to appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court.

"I am not a betting man, but my hunch is the supreme court will take it," said Murphy.