Former B.C. Lion Isaiah Guzylak-Messam Sued by Burnaby Neighbour, What the Lawsuit Alleges (Not a Settlement)
A Burnaby, British Columbia tenant has sued former B.C. Lions player Isaiah Guzylak-Messam and her landlord, alleging that repeated loud stomping from the apartment above caused a ceiling light fixture to fall and seriously injure her. The lawsuit was filed on September 29, 2026, in the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
This is not a settlement and not a class action. It is a single-plaintiff civil lawsuit that is still at an early stage. No settlement amount, claim form, claims deadline or settlement administrator exists. None of the allegations has been tested in court, and no court has found anyone liable.
Guzylak-Messam Lawsuit Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Plaintiff | Cindy Tunde Borsai |
| Defendants | Isaiah Guzylak-Messam; Vista Terrace Apartments Ltd.; CAPREIT LP; unidentified defendants named as “ABC Property Management” and “ABC Security Co.” |
| Court | Supreme Court of British Columbia |
| Notice of Civil Claim filed | September 29, 2026 |
| Location | Vista Terrace Apartments, 7465 13th Ave., Burnaby, B.C. |
| Main allegation | Loud stomping allegedly caused a ceiling light fixture to fall and strike the plaintiff |
| Alleged injuries | Concussion; head laceration with scarring; dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, weakness, fatigue, memory problems, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, among other harms |
| Damages sought | General, special, aggravated and punitive damages, lost past and future income, medical and rehabilitation costs, and legal costs. No total dollar amount has been reported |
| Official settlement website | None. There is no settlement |
| Claim form | None |
| Claim deadline | None |
| Settlement administrator | None |
| Court file number | Not verified. It was not available in the reporting reviewed, and AllAboutLawyer does not publish unverified numbers |
| Current status | Lawsuit pending; allegations untested; no responses to the claim reported as of October 5, 2026 |
What Does Cindy Tunde Borsai Allege?
According to reporting on the filed claim, Borsai alleges the following:
- Problems began in spring 2024, after Guzylak-Messam moved into the unit directly above hers.
- She knocked on his door after loud noises began, and she alleges he continued to cause or allow loud stomping that distressed her.
- She reported the conduct to CAPREIT on “many occasions,” including her concern that the stomping weakened her ceiling and walls. She alleges CAPREIT did not address her complaints adequately or at all.
- She also alleges that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were involved in addressing complaints.
These are allegations in the plaintiff’s civil claim. They are not established facts.
How Was the Light Fixture Allegedly Involved?
Borsai alleges that on January 22, 2025, severe stomping caused a light fixture on her balcony to fall. She says she contacted her landlord and received no response.
She further alleges that the stomping continued and that a glass light shade from a ceiling fan later fell from her ceiling and struck her head. She says the glass shattered, causing serious injury, and also injured her dog.
What Injuries and Damages Does She Claim?
Borsai alleges a concussion and a bleeding head laceration that left scarring, along with ongoing symptoms including dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, weakness, fatigue, memory problems, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
She seeks compensation for lost past and future income, rehabilitation and medical treatment, transportation to rehabilitation, medication and other damages. The claim lists general, special, aggravated and punitive damages, plus costs.
The reporting does not give a total dollar amount. Any article claiming a specific payout is speculating.
Who Else Is Named in the Lawsuit?
Besides Guzylak-Messam, the claim names the building’s owner, Vista Terrace Apartments Ltd., and landlord CAPREIT LP. It also names unknown property-management and security companies under the placeholder names ABC Property Management and ABC Security Co. The allegations against these parties are also unproven.
Has Anyone Responded?
As of the October 5, 2026 report by Business in Vancouver, no responses to the Notice of Civil Claim had been filed. The outlet said it asked Vista Terrace Apartments Ltd. and CAPREIT for comment and contacted Guzylak-Messam through LinkedIn, and none provided a response by its deadline.
A missing response at this early stage is not an admission of the allegations. A defendant typically has a set period to respond after being served, and the defendants’ positions are not yet known.
Guzylak-Messam’s Football Background
Reporting states that Guzylak-Messam played 90 games for the B.C. Lions, starting in 2018 and ending last year, and that the team released him before training camp in April 2026. His football career is not at issue in the lawsuit. It is the reason the case drew media attention.
Is There a Settlement, Claim Form or Deadline?
No. Nothing in the reporting describes a settlement, a fund, or any process for the public to claim money. Do not submit personal information or pay anyone claiming to collect claims for an “Isaiah Guzylak-Messam settlement.”
This case also has no connection to U.S. consumer class actions. It is an individual Canadian lawsuit, and any judgment or settlement would involve only the parties to it.
What Happens Next?
Typical steps in a British Columbia Supreme Court civil action include service of the claim, responses from the defendants, document exchange, questioning of the parties, and then settlement discussions or trial. Timelines vary widely, and many cases never reach trial. Any outcome would bind only the parties.
Does This Lawsuit Affect Other Tenants?
No. The lawsuit does not give other tenants a right to compensation, and it does not establish that landlords are automatically liable whenever a tenant complains about noise. Liability depends on the facts, the applicable law, what the landlord knew, what steps it took, and whether the conduct caused the claimed injury.
What Should Tenants Do in a Serious Noise or Safety Dispute?
Keep records rather than relying on memory:
- Written complaints to the landlord or property manager
- Emails and text messages
- Photos or videos of damage
- Dates and descriptions of incidents
- Medical records after any injury
- Repair requests and the responses
- Police or emergency-service records, where applicable
- Names of witnesses
For an individual injury or tenancy dispute, speak with a qualified lawyer in your province or state, or a government legal-information service. Time limits to start a legal claim can be short.
Key Dates
| Date | Event |
| Spring 2024 | Borsai alleges problems began after Guzylak-Messam moved in above her |
| January 22, 2025 | Borsai alleges a balcony light fixture fell during severe stomping |
| April 2026 | B.C. Lions released Guzylak-Messam before training camp, according to reporting |
| September 29, 2026 | Notice of Civil Claim filed |
| October 5, 2026 | Business in Vancouver reported the lawsuit; no responses filed |
| Not applicable | No settlement, claim form or claim deadline exists |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who sued Isaiah Guzylak-Messam?
Cindy Tunde Borsai, who lived in the unit below his at Vista Terrace Apartments in Burnaby, filed the lawsuit.
Why was Isaiah Guzylak-Messam sued?
She alleges his repeated loud stomping caused a ceiling light fixture to fall and seriously injure her.
Is there an Isaiah Guzylak-Messam settlement?
No. The reporting describes a newly filed lawsuit, not a settlement.
Is there a claim form or deadline?
No. No public claims process exists.
Has a court found Guzylak-Messam responsible?
No. The allegations have not been tested in court, and no responses to the claim had been filed as of October 5, 2026.
How much money is Borsai seeking?
The claim seeks several kinds of damages and costs, but no total dollar amount has been reported.
Who else is being sued?
Vista Terrace Apartments Ltd., CAPREIT LP, and unidentified property-management and security companies.
Is this a class action or a U.S. case?
Neither. It is a single-plaintiff civil action in a Canadian provincial court.
What is the court file number?
It was not verified from a primary court record, so none is published here.
Related Reading
Legal information disclaimer: AllAboutLawyer.com is a U.S.-based consumer legal information website. It is not a law firm, does not practise Canadian law, and does not provide legal advice. All allegations described here are unproven. This article will be updated if court filings or credible reporting provide further details.
Sources
- Glen Korstrom, Business in Vancouver, “Former B.C. Lion sued for allegedly injuring neighbour,” October 5, 2026 (syndicated by Castanet). https://www.castanetkamloops.net/edition/news-story-633401-3-.htm
- CFL statistics, player record for Isaiah Guzylak-Messam (games played). https://stats.cfl.ca/stats/player/164128
- 3DownNation, “B.C. Lions release Canadian veteran Isaiah Guzylak-Messam,” April 30, 2026. https://3downnation.com/2026/04/30/b-c-lions-release-canadian-veteran-isaiah-guzylak-messam/
About the Author
Israr Ahmad is a legal content researcher with 4+ years of experience covering class action settlements and consumer rights cases. He has researched and published coverage of 2,500+ settlements using verified court records, settlement administrator filings, and government sources. Learn more about Israr.