Tragedy can strike when you least expect it, and it did just that when the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Florida collapsed on June 24, 2021. Recovery efforts are still ongoing, but already, this disaster has claimed many innocent lives. Residents were sleeping soundly in their beds in the very early hours of the morning when the floor beneath their feet fell away, taking them and their entire home with it. As of now, investigations into exactly what went awry with the building to cause the collapse are still under way. But one thing is already clear: There was a failure of responsibility when it came to maintaining a safe structure for people to live in. And that means someone needs to be held accountable for the damage and loss caused.
If you were affected by property damage, personal injuries, or wrongful death related to the Champlain Towers South condominium collapse in Surfside, you may have options to seek compensation for the losses you’ve suffered. And The Whisler Law Firm can be your legal guide and counsel through the process every step of the way.
Property Damage Suffered from Surfside Collapse
It’s no surprise that property suffered major damages in the Surfside condo disaster. Half a building collapsed on itself, and the remainder of the building was intentionally demolished for safety reasons. People who were inside the South tower when it collapsed lost their lives, while those who happened to not be inside the residence still lost everything of value inside it, not to mention, their home itself. And those residents who were evacuated from the remaining portion of the tower without being permitted to gather any belongings before it was demolished also lost their home and everything personal to them.
Whether you rent or own, when you purchase property insurance for your dwelling, it’s with the hope you’ll never need to use it. But it exists so that in moments of chaos and loss, you can receive some compensation for your property. But often, when the time comes to file a claim, your insurance adjuster may not be so forthcoming—especially in a scenario like the condo collapse, when they are going to attempt to place blame outside the scope of their coverage. This is when you need a property insurance lawyer on your side to help you fight for the coverage you deserve. It may even be possible to file a lawsuit against whatever party is eventually found responsible for the condo collapse to collect on the damages you’ve suffered. And if you’ve been displaced due to the collapse or demolition of your home, you may be able to seek fiscal support for finding a new home, whether it’s a temporary or a permanent one.
Wrongful Death Suffered in Surfside Condo Collapse
Many lives were tragically lost in the Surfside condo collapse. As recovery efforts continue, there may be little hope of finding any survivors. If you lost a family member in the collapse, you may have the grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit against those who will be found responsible for this tragedy.
Already, several owners of units in the Champlain Towers South complex who were not residing in the building at the time of its collapse have filed class-action lawsuits against the condo association. Their lawsuits are on the basis that the association “failed to secure and safeguard the lives and property.” This already seems inherently true in the case of damage of this magnitude, especially when learning that repairs and upgrades supposedly went ignored and unaddressed for years.
If these allegations are found to be accurate, there will potentially be very high damages to pay out to those victims who lost loved ones in this wrongful death scenario. You can receive compensation for damages such as burial and funeral costs, loss of financial support, loss of benefits, or loss of household services the deceased provided. But if you lost a loved one, don’t take on both the challenge of recovery and fighting this legal battle all on your own. You need a wrongful death lawyer to help you file your claim and take the necessary steps to getting you and your family the compensation you deserve. That way you can focus first and foremost on recovering from your loss.
Personal Injury Suffered in the Surfside Condo Collapse
Search efforts continue at the site of the Surfside condo collapse, but thus far there have been no survivors yet found. However, if you were inside the part of the tower that miraculously remained standing during the event, and managed to be evacuated from the building with your life intact, you may still be able to file a claim or lawsuit for any personal injuries you suffered directly relating to the collapse. Personal injury and premises liability often go hand in hand, and the Surfside condo collapse scenario is no exception to that. The premises did not have properly updated safety standards, and that led to harm.
Ongoing investigations have thus far revealed that the 40-year-old condo complex had been in the early stages of a recertification process, supposedly only having made the step of hiring an engineer to analyze the building. Unfortunately, even this limited action was clearly taken too late. Repair needs had already been identified and reported by multiple residents before the building’s collapse, and current lawsuits allege that the catastrophe could have been prevented with proper care and safety measures.
Damages for personal injuries can also extend beyond treating any medical injuries you may have suffered. Mental and emotional trauma can often arise from disaster experiences like the Surfside collapse, which can in turn negatively affect your life and livelihood. If you want to seek to address this trauma with the help of clinical industry professionals, you may by able to file a claim with your insurance provider or join the ongoing suit for the variety of damages suffered by many. In this case, a great personal injury lawyer can help you build your claim or case, and work with you to receive the compensation you need to get well.
The Whisler Law Firm is here to help you through these difficult times. Our team is vastly experienced with property damage claims, wrongful death suits, and personal injury cases. If you’re ready to hold the guilty party accountable for the terrible loss suffered in the Surfside condo collapse, then we’re ready to fight alongside you. Call us at 833-529-5677 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation. We want to hear your story and help you receive the compensation you deserve.
