Building Collapse Attorneys

When buildings collapse during construction or renovations, they can result in catastrophic injuries and property damage. In some cases, construction companies, property owners, architectural firms, and similar parties may be held liable if they failed to design, construct, or maintain a reasonably safe building.

If you or a loved one were injured in a building collapse accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, property damage, and more. Contact The Ferraro Law Firm to schedule your free legal consultation to learn more about your legal rights. You will pay nothing unless you win compensation.

What Causes Structural Damage and Building Collapse Accidents?

Structures can fail for a number of reasons, and it may require a lawyer to investigate why a building collapsed. Below are a few of the most common causes of structural damage:

• Weak foundation: A building’s stability starts with a strong foundation. The taller a building is, the more important it is that the foundation has the right anchorage and adequate soil preparation to support the weight of the structure.
• Excessive loads: Strength and load tests should be performed to ensure a building’s structure can withstand the weight of its materials and inhabitants.
• Construction errors: Construction teams may intentionally try to cut corners to save time and money, or companies may fail to adequately supervise and train workers to ensure they are not making mistakes during the construction process. Accidents involving heavy machinery may also damage a building’s structure during renovations or construction.
• Weak building materials: Cheap, low-quality materials may not be able to adequately support a building in the long term.
• Explosions or fires: Gas explosions and fires can decimate a building, causing parts of the structure or sometimes the entire building to collapse on itself.
• Natural disasters: While hurricanes, earthquakes, sinkholes, and similar disasters cannot be predicted, structures should be built to withstand potential damage inflicted by extreme weather.

Who May Be Responsible for a Building Collapse?

It is often not immediately apparent what or who may have caused a structural failure. These cases can be complex, and often require a personal injury lawyer to thoroughly investigate the accident.

Often, buildings fail due to a flaw in their original design or construction, or negligence and errors during renovations.

The following parties may be held liable for a building collapse accident:

• Construction company or contractors: If construction workers make errors or cut corners during the building process that causes the building to eventually collapse, the construction company may be held liable.
• Manufacturers of defective building materials: A structure may fail because the building materials were poor quality and defective. Manufacturers may be held liable for defective materials sold.
• Architects: Sometimes the original design is flawed and inherently unsafe. If that is the case, the architectural firm that designed the building could be considered responsible.
• Property owner: In some cases, if a property owner failed to regularly maintain their building, causing it to eventually collapse, they might be considered liable. A property owner should also ensure their premises are reasonably safe for residents, workers, and passersby during construction or renovations.

What are Common Building Collapse Injuries?

If you are inside or near a building when it collapses, you may suffer severe injuries. These can require hospitalization, long-term treatment and care, and surgeries, and may prevent you from working.

Common injuries include:

• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Brain injuries
• Crush injuries, including broken bones, bleeding, bruising, and compartment syndrome
• Amputated limbs
• Suffocation
• Death

What Types of Damages Can Be Compensated After a Building Collapse?

If you were injured in a building collapse accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage

If you lost a loved one in a building collapse accident, you may also be able to pursue justice against the negligent parties that may have caused the accident. A wrongful death lawsuit may recover compensation for loss of support, funeral expenses, and more.

Lean on Our Building Collapse Experts to Dig for Answers

The Ferraro Law Firm has recovered billions of dollars for injured clients in Florida and beyond since we opened our doors 35 years ago. Few personal injury law firms have the depth of skills and resources that our firm has. Building collapses require thorough investigations to identify liable parties, and The Ferraro Law Firm has access to the investigators and experts needed to collect the necessary evidence to make your case as successful as possible.

Our personal injury lawyers have helped clients obtain justice against some of the largest corporations and insurance companies in the country, and they are prepared to fight just as hard for you.

Injured in the Surfside Building Collapse? Contact The Ferraro Law Firm

Building collapses can result in life-altering injuries and property damage. If another party’s negligence caused a structure to fail, resulting in you or a loved one being injured and/or suffering property damage, you may be able to pursue justice by filing a lawsuit.

Contact The Ferraro Law Firm as soon as possible to discuss your legal options. These cases can be time-sensitive, so do not delay. You will only pay for our services if we win your case.

Surfside Building Collapse Resources and News

For more information about your legal rights and safety tips following a building collapse, The Ferraro Law Firm has compiled the following resources:

• What Causes Buildings to Collapse?
• Who May Be Held Liable for a Building Collapse Accident?
• Major Building Collapses Throughout U.S. History: A Timeline

For information about the June 2021 Surfside condo collapse, refer to the following stories:

• 159 Still Unaccounted for After Champlain South Tower Partial Building Collapse
• The Ferraro Law Firm’s Commitment to Ongoing Support of Miami’s Surfside Community in the Wake of Tragic Condo Collapse

Building Collapse FAQs