BUILDING COLLAPSE LAWYER IN BROOKLYN

Buildings can collapse for many different reasons, including problems with design, construction, materials, maintenance, or the condition of the property itself. Potential causes may include:

• Design or engineering defects
• Poor construction or workmanship
• Inadequate maintenance
• Defective or deteriorating building materials
• Foundation settlement
• Soil problems
• Improper renovations
• Excavation or construction on nearby property
• Fires or explosions
• Vehicle impacts
• Severe weather, snow, wind, or other natural forces

In many cases, determining why a building collapsed requires a detailed investigation involving engineers, architects, construction records, inspection reports, and other evidence.

Responsibility depends on what caused the collapse and who was responsible for designing, constructing, inspecting, maintaining, or controlling the property. Potentially liable parties may include:

• Property owners
• Landlords
• General contractors
• Subcontractors
• Architects
• Engineers
• Construction companies
• Maintenance companies
• Material manufacturers or suppliers
• Other parties whose negligence contributed to the collapse

More than one party may share responsibility, particularly when construction, maintenance, and property management involve several different companies.

Potentially. Building codes establish minimum safety standards for the construction, repair, alteration, and maintenance of buildings.

A code violation involving structural integrity, materials, electrical systems, fire safety, ventilation, or another safety requirement may be relevant when determining why a collapse occurred and whether someone failed to take reasonable precautions.

Because building codes vary by state and local jurisdiction, an investigation may involve reviewing the specific codes and inspection requirements that applied to the property in Brooklyn.

Your safety should come first. Seek emergency medical care and follow instructions from first responders or other authorities at the scene. If you are able to do so safely, preserve information that may later help establish what happened, including:

• Photographs or videos of the scene
• Witness contact information
• Medical records
• Receipts and other records of your losses
• Communications with the property owner, landlord, contractor, or insurer
• Any notices or complaints concerning the condition of the building

You may also want to speak with an attorney before signing releases or accepting a settlement, especially because building collapse cases can involve multiple responsible parties and insurers.

Building collapse cases often rely on extensive technical evidence. Relevant evidence may include:

• Building inspection reports
• Maintenance and repair records
• Engineering and architectural plans
• Construction documents
• Permits and code compliance records
• Photographs and videos
• Witness statements
• Prior complaints about structural problems
• Material testing
• Expert engineering analysis
• Records relating to renovations, excavation, or nearby construction

Because some evidence may be controlled by property owners, contractors, government agencies, or other third parties, preserving records early can be especially important.

The compensation available depends on the nature of your injuries, the financial losses you experienced, and the laws of your state. Potential damages may include:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical care
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Disability or disfigurement
• Property damage
• Other collapse-related losses

If a building collapse results in a death, certain surviving family members or representatives may also have legal options under applicable wrongful death laws.

Building collapse cases can involve catastrophic injuries, complicated engineering issues, construction defects, building-code violations, multiple responsible parties, and extensive investigations.

As America’s Largest Injury Law Firm™, with more than 1,100 lawyers nationwide, $35 billion recovered, and 35 years of experience, Morgan & Morgan has the resources to investigate serious building collapses, preserve evidence, work with appropriate experts, identify potentially responsible parties, and pursue the compensation our clients may be entitled to.

We believe everyone deserves access to excellent legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. That’s why we offer free case evaluations. Qualifying building collapse cases are handled on a contingency-fee basis, meaning there are no upfront attorney’s fees and you pay nothing unless we win your case.

That’s our promise: The Fee is Free® unless we win.

If you or a loved one was injured in a building collapse in Brooklyn, contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal options.