How Do Structural Collapse Accidents Happen?

Structural collapses are some of the most damaging construction accidents. A collapse has the potential to harm the largest groups of people. Workers, building inhabitants, neighbors, and pedestrians passing by may all be injured when a structure collapses. In nearly every case, these accidents are the result of one or more negligent parties.

Have you or a loved one recently been seriously injured or killed in a structural collapse? We can only imagine the anguish you're facing during this difficult time. While it may seem impossible to move on, it's important that negligent parties be held liable for the damages they've caused. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Monheit Law are prepared to fight for justice for you and your family.

A Look At The 2013 Philadelphia Building Collapse

Residents of the Philly area are sure to remember the building collapse of 2013. This tragic accident shook the area and made national headlines. A building undergoing demolition collapsed onto a crowded Salvation Army store next door. Many shoppers were trapped in the rubble. Seven people died and thirteen were injured in the collapse.

As with most tragedies, citizens wanted answers. Who was responsible for this egregious act of negligence? What safety measures were ignored? What corners were cut to save a few dollars, resulting in the critical injuries and deaths of twenty innocent people?

Who Was Liable?

This catastrophe, like many others, was the result of multiple negligent parties. Contractor Griffin T. Campbell and excavator operator Sean Benschop were both sentenced to prison for their role in the accident. Along with these two, three other parties were brought before a jury in the civil trial:

• Richard Basciano - A wealthy New York City real estate developer who owned the building which collapsed onto the Salvation Army. He was sued for hiring an inexperienced architect to manage the demolition.
• Plato A. Marinakos Jr. - The architect Basciano hired to oversee the demolition. He was sued because he recommended Campbell for the job and because he knew of the dangerous condition of the building but neglected to notify anyone.
• The Salvation Army - Basciano's top aide, Thomas Simmonds, issued multiple warnings of potential collapse to the Salvation Army. These warnings were ignored and never passed on to employees or customers.

All five defendants were found liable for their role in the disaster. The collapse was the result of a multi-level chain of negligence. The court determined that the Salvation Army bore the majority of the liability, at 75%.

Should I Talk To A Lawyer?

Anyone injured on the job should at least consult with an attorney. An experienced one can help analyze the specific details of your case and determine any possible negligent parties. If you have no case, you lose nothing because Monheit Law provides free consultations.

Third-party Liability

In the Philadelphia building collapse case, civil court successfully held guilty parties liable for their negligence. Not every case is as cut and dried as this one. Things get a bit more complicated for employees who are injured on the job. Even in that case, the Salvation Army employees were not permitted to sue the Salvation Army because of Workers' Compensation laws.

However, civil recourse is possible if your injuries have been caused by a negligent third party. Construction sites are diverse and made up of several different employers and workforces. Various third parties could be found liable in civil court, including:

• Independent contractors
• Subcontractors
• Architects
• Property owners
• Equipment and material manufacturers

In the Philadelphia collapse, four out of five of these parties were found liable in civil court. Equipment manufacturers were the only ones not involved in the suit.

When Workers' Comp Is Not Enough

Does Workers' Compensation really protect workers? We think employers benefit much more from these laws. While successful claims may provide for medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, employers get a free pass when someone else suffers from their negligence. These claims only pay for approximately two-thirds of your average weekly income. If you're out of work and trying to support your family, this is woefully inadequate.

A team of dedicated lawyers with experience fighting for workers' rights can help you receive the compensation you need. Recovering from a serious on the job injury is taxing - physically, emotionally, and financially. A favorable verdict could award you compensation for:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of quality of life
• Loss of earning potential
• Full compensation for lost wages
• Loss of consortium

If you'd like to learn more about your legal options following a work-related injury or wrongful death, don't hesitate to schedule a consultation. Civil action is often the only recourse victims and their families have in these difficult situations.

Additional Information

• Everything you need to know about job site injuries
• Heavy machinery accidents
• Construction accidents with cranes