South Florida Lawyer Blog
Crews have apparently found cracks in a key part of the pedestrian bridge that collapsed near the campus of Florida International University earlier than previously acknowledged, but it remains unclear whether the fissures caused the structure’s failure.
Documents from Florida International University show the cracks were found in late February. The structure collapsed March 15, killing six people.
Reports indicate that the photos show the cracks in a piece of a support truss on the north end of the span where the collapse began.
Bridge engineers have said that the cracks suggest a problem that should have been addressed before the section that failed was moved into place.
It is not yet clear whether construction crews repaired the cracks before the failure.
The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the cause of the collapse.
According to investigators, most bridge collapses happen because of construction faults, not design faults. However, until the National Transportation Safety Board completes their investigation, it’s hard to say what might have gone wrong or speculate on who could potentially be held responsible. There are several different parties involved in the design, testing, and construction of the bridge. It is entirely possible that multiple parties will be held accountable for negligence when all is said and done.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a construction-related accident, our South Florida Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help you determine what steps to take next. Our goal is to identify who is at fault and hold them responsible for damages.