Dangerous Downtown Condo Collapse Results in Loss Of Life and Lawsuits

[Omaha Steve]

http://jacksonville.injuryboard.com/workplace-injuries/dangerous-downtown-condo-collapse-results-in-loss-of-life-and-lawsuits.aspx?googleid=255904

January 23, 2009 - 11:08 PM
Category: Workplace Injuries


The downtown Berkman Plaza condominium project was abruptly halted in December 2007 when a parking garage collapsed burying one worker under five feet of debris and concrete. Now the condo owner is suing six subcontractors for at least $36 million in damages.

The six are accused of violating Florida’s building codes that led to the six-story garage collapse that killed 26-year-old Willie Edwards, a single father of two. 23 other workers were injured.

In the lawsuits, Berkman’s lawyers say the delay in construction has cost the company at least $36 million.

The Florida Times-Union reports the subcontractors are: Named in the lawsuit are: Southern Pan Services Co. of Davie, Infinity Resourcing of Palm Coast, P.T.E. Strand Co. of Miami, Universal Engineering Sciences of Orlando, A.A. Pittman and Sons Concrete Co. of Jacksonville and Patent Construction Systems of Paramus, N.J.

Interestingly another subcontractor, Choate Construction Co. was not sued because its contract states that any claims are to be handled through binding arbitration and mediation. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has also fined several contractors $193,000 for flaws in construction and design.

FULL story at link.