.png)
Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen continues to work, as appointed counsel, in representing family members of those lost in the collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida.
On the evening of June 24, the north-central section of the Champlain Tower South Condominium building abruptly collapsed. The northeast corner soon followed. Ninety-eight lives were lost. The remaining units were left destabilized and were demolished days later.
A wave of lawsuits on behalf of the victims were filed in the wake of the collapse. Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen was also retained by families who lost loved one in the collapse to prosecute claims against those responsible for this tragedy. The numerous lawsuits were then consolidated into a single putative class action lawsuit, pending before Judge Michael Hanzman. Due to the complexity of the case, Judge Hanzman appointed well-known and trusted law professionals to lead the litigation on behalf of the plaintiffs; he named GRYC Attorneys Rachel Wagner Furst and Stuart Grossman as co-chair lead counsel and wrongful death liaison counsel, respectively.
On August 16, an amended class action complaint on behalf of all victims was filed, including claims on behalf of the wrongful death and property loss victims. Champlain Towers South Condominium Association, Inc. was named as the sole defendant. The complaint alleges that the association board should have worked to repair the deteriorating element of the building in connection with the building’s 40-year certification, but failed to do so. These failures contributed to the collapse.
Since the filing of that complaint, Attorneys Furst and Grossman have been working to investigate the claims against potential third parties. More than 30 subpoenas have been served and documents collected. Also, the plaintiffs’ expert witnesses were first able to access the site to begin their investigation October 25. A second amended complaint is due to be filed November 16, in which plaintiffs will name additional defendants
As Attorney Furst told the court at a September 23 hearing, “We continue to work towards the November 16th deadline for the filing of our amended pleading. …a capable team of attorneys has been doing the work involved in the receipt of thousands of documents responsive to the nearly three dozen subpoenas we sent out.” Meanwhile, a real estate developer has made a stalking horse offer of $120 million to purchase the land where Champlain Towers South once stood. There is the potential for even higher bids once the property goes up for auction late February.
According to Attorney Furst, time is actively working towards a resolution.
Have you been directly affected by the Surfside condo collapse? Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen wants to help. Call (866) 629-1061 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
