Many of us cross bridges on a daily or weekly basis, but we rarely consider that they may be dangerous on their own. Nevertheless, there have been incidents of bridges causing harm and fatalities due to poor maintenance or design.
Marrone Law Firm, LLC wants you to know that if you have been involved in a bridge accident, our seasoned premises liability attorneys could help you hold those responsible for your injuries accountable. Contact our Philadelphia bridge collapse injury lawyer, and we will help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the state is ranked third for the number of bridges in the nation, many of which are more than half a century old. What causes a durable and dependable structure to fail? In most cases, a bridge collapse happens when:
Regardless of the cause, it is a structure that has the capability of a catastrophic failure, especially as they age and fall into disrepair. When it does, people want to know who is responsible when tragedy strikes too close to home.
When bridges collapse in Philadelphia, injuries can devastate those caught on or near the bridge. Those who sustain injury can sometimes deal with lifelong pain or mental anguish. The people who are killed during the collapse leave behind family members seeking accountability. There are typically three groups of individuals that might face scrutiny when bridge accidents occur.
Bridge designers have a unique job. They must consider the elements, both natural and manmade, before creating a bridge. If it can be proven that bridge designers made a mistake while planning it, a lawyer may be able to hold them accountable.
Bridges must be built with high-quality products. A bridge should not be rushed to completion or built by inexperienced builders. If a lawyer can prove the bridge was rushed or there were inadequate materials used, they may have to pay for the injuries a person received.
Bridges should be inspected while being built and every few years after completion to ensure that life-threatening issues are caught before they become deadly. When making a claim for compensation, an injured person and their Philadelphia lawyer must have some idea of the inspection history of the bridge before it collapsed.
The list of potential people you could legally sue for compensation is long, and there may be other parties that were negligent based on the specifics of the case. For instance, if a boat hits the bridge and causes injury, the owners or operators of the boat may also be accountable as well.
In a bridge collapse accident, plaintiffs have the right to compensation if they were injured or lost a loved one. Most often, a person can sue for:
If someone’s close family member died in a bridge collapse in Philadelphia, the family may be eligible for compensation for various losses, including companionship, wages, inheritance, and funeral expenses. It is essential to understand that all cases of this nature have a statute of limitations of two years, with the possibility of some exceptions. It is important to begin planning right away.
We care about our clients and have extensive experience with personal injury law. We want to help you as well. Our Philadelphia bridge collapse injury lawyers will help you discover what compensation you may be entitled to receive after this horrific accident. Contact Marrone Law Firm, LLC, for a free consultation today.