Philadelphia building collapse cause

As a result, they destroyed the shared retaining wall between the two homes. Workers razed both houses within a few days. Hopp and his family stood across the street staring in disbelief as the house they loved was systematically dismantled by a demolition crew. It was hard to watch, but they felt a responsibility to be there for its end.

The agency is seeking funds to hire 10 new inspectors for the Audits and Inspections unit, which proactively ensures contractors are following city regulations. The current unit only has a staff of two, out of building and code inspectors. In February, Karen Klenk lost the home she and her nine siblings grew up in when contractors working next door — without proper permits or engineering plans — caused the Fishtown rowhouse to collapse.

Hopp says the family from Thompson Street stopped by to commiserate during his demolition vigil. An illegal basement excavation was the cause of their collapse as well. There, a contractor digging in a vacant lot without proper permits or plans caused the sidewalk and neighboring driveway to sink into the ground. Even after inspectors slapped the project with violations, the contractors kept digging there. Szabo was lucky.

Others have lost their lives. The most deadly was a collapse at the Salvation Army thrift store that killed seven people, but fatal collapses have happened since.

In , Harvey Figgs, a construction foreman, died when a Brewerytown building fell and crushed him. And in December, a property in Francisville collapsed on a crew of contractors as they worked on a project, momentarily trapping two under the rubble. Over the last three years, more than 20 workers have been killed on Philadelphia construction sites, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Electrocution is a risk from exposed live wires, and exposure to chemical, biological, or radioactive hazards is possible depending on what was contained in the collapsed structure. If any part of the structure remains, falling debris is still a threat as is a secondary collapse. When a building collapses after a natural disaster or fire, often it can be proven that design flaws or poor construction were the ultimate reason for the collapse.

An extensive review of the design and construction plans, builder contracts, and witness accounts of the event can demonstrate that problems existed within the building itself before the event that seemingly caused the collapse. Injuries from a building collapse are usually devastating and can require costly long-term medical care, and result in permanent disabilities or even death. Assigning blame in these cases can be complicated due to the many parties involved. A comprehensive investigation can determine if there was negligence on the part of a third party, such as the builder, architect, general contractor or sub-contractors, owner of the building, or building inspectors.

If faulty construction equipment or defective building materials are a factor, then the manufacturers of the defective products can also be held liable. Our team will fight on your behalf to make sure you receive the maximum allowable compensation for your injuries. In the District of Columbia, the statute of limitations is three years. These statutes function as deadlines.

If you miss the statute of limitations, your case will likely be dismissed, preventing you from pursuing compensation for your losses. In practice, it is best to retain a lawyer as soon as possible after a building collapse. As time passes, critical evidence can be lost or spoliated, and witnesses might also move and be difficult to locate.

Hiring an attorney early can provide him or her with more time to investigate your case and determine liability. Call us today to schedule a free consultation at It provides general information and a general understanding of the law but does not provide specific legal advice.

Due to the dynamic nature of legal doctrines, what might be accurate one day may be inaccurate the next. As such, the contents of this blog must not be relied upon as a basis for arguments to a court or for your advice to clients without, again, further research or a consultation with our professionals.

Causes of building collapses Building collapses can be caused by numerous problems. Building collapse types Building collapses can occur during construction, in an existing structure, or in an adjacent structure.

Red flags that a collapse might occur Several red flags might indicate that a collapse might occur. Some common red flags of a building collapse include the following: Sagging floors Cracks in columns and walls Concrete deterioration Water or fire damage Large buildups of snow on the roof Cracking sounds Off-level stairs and floors Plaster falling from the walls If you were inside of a building when it collapsed, you should tell your attorney about any red flags you noticed before it occurred.

Common injuries in a building collapse Building collapses are catastrophic events and can cause many different types of serious injuries, including the following: Amputations Multiple fractures Traumatic brain injuries Spinal cord injuries Paraplegia or quadriplegia Burns Crush injuries Skull fractures Suffocation Electrocution Death Building collapse survivors might also contend with emotional trauma for the rest of their lives. Damages in a building collapse The amount of compensation you might expect in a building collapse lawsuit will depend on the particular facts and circumstances of your case.

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