As recent tragic events in Miami have shown, construction inspection and safety is a terribly relevant and issue that could have a massive impact on the lives of hundreds of people, to say nothing of the impact it could have on a local economy. In that tragedy, one lawsuit has already been filed, and more are likely to follow. This could have major legal implications in Pennsylvania and around the country.
What liability could companies face?
Premises liability is a serious issue that companies could face in the event of an injury, destruction of property, or death. Much of the liability faced by a construction firm or building owner ultimately comes down to what they knew and when they knew it. Some questions would have to be asked, including:
- Was the building owner or construction company aware of potentially serious issues?
- What efforts did they make to try to address these issues?
- Had they warned residents about these potential problems?
- Were they following all applicable local and state laws?
What options would a victim have?
From a legal perspective, victims of the collapse could have a variety of options, provided that they are able to prove liability. It ultimately comes down to the answers to the questions above and the advice of attorneys, but a lawsuit is certainly an option in a circumstance like the Miami building collapse.
In all of these cases, legal liability on behalf of a victim is not easy to prove, but depending on the circumstances, it may be possible. If you have been the victim of some type of construction accident, your best next move is to immediately seek professional legal counsel who can help you determine your legal options.
