Building Collapse Attorney in Phoenix

Whether the building is our home, place of work, where we purchase necessities, or where we go for social activities, we expect it to be safe and remain standing. This expectation is entirely reasonable and supported by a building, construction, and inspection codes. Even so, building collapses can occur, and when they do, they bring damaging and possibly deadly consequences.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a building collapse, seek legal representation as soon as possible. A building collapse attorney in Phoenix will fight to hold responsible parties accountable and get you the financial compensation you need.

Compensation You Can Pursue Following a Building Collapse

The damages and settlement amount you pursue after a building collapse depends on several factors, including the extent and severity of your injuries, the physical, medical, emotional, and financial consequences of those injuries, the amount of property loss or damage you experienced, and how your injuries affect your overall quality of life.

If your loved one was killed in a building collapse, you may be entitled to a wrongful death settlement. Wrongful death compensation can cover death and funeral expenses, recover your loved one’s lost potential income, and acknowledge the loss of relationship and consortium you and other family members have sustained and will continue to suffer.

For a free legal consultation with a building collapse accidents lawyer serving Phoenix, call 866-499-8989

Proving Negligence for a Building Collapse

To collect a settlement from the party or parties responsible for your injuries, you must prove those parties’ negligence. There are four elements to proving negligence. You must prove:

The responsible party or parties owed you a duty of care. In the case of building collapse, you would have to prove it was reasonable for you to expect the building was safe, and that the building proprietors, managers, or others responsible for the building’s safety, who allowed or invited you onto the premises, owed you a safe experience.
Those responsible for the building breached their duty of care. Their actions or lack of action and oversight led to the building’s collapse.
The building collapse caused your injuries, property damage, or other losses.
The injuries and other consequences cost you quantifiable damages.

Phoenix Building Collapse Accident Lawyer Near Me 866-499-8989

Determining Who Is at Fault for a Phoenix Building Collapse

Figuring out why a building collapses and who should be held accountable is challenging, but an experienced Phoenix building collapse attorney from Zanes Law will investigate the event thoroughly and find answers. In reviewing the case, your lawyer will access and analyze the building:

Blueprints
Engineering reports
Inspection reports
Products used to construct the building
Communication from building architects, developers, engineers, owners, contractors, and all others involved in constructing, maintaining, and overseeing the building

As they analyze these sources and other extensive, relevant data, your lawyer will apply their knowledge of Phoenix building codes and seek input from outside experts to identify areas of non-compliance and determine who is at fault.

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Causes of Building Collapse

There are many reasons a building collapse occurs, and your Phoenix building collapse lawyer will evaluate the specifics of your case to reach a conclusion. You can trust your lawyer to investigate all possibilities, which will likely include the following:

Failure to Anticipate Complications

Those responsible for designing, constructing, and maintaining buildings must plan for unexpected, yet still possible, complications. For example, they must anticipate storms, other natural disasters, or acts of intentional or accidental violence on the building and ensure the buildings can literally “stand up” in the wake of such events.

Use of Inferior Building Materials and Construction Errors

The following factors, among others, can create insecure infrastructure and weaken the building, making it more susceptible to collapse even without outside stressors.

Using low-grade, defective, or unapproved materials
Inferior workmanship
Improper measuring
Failure to carry out construction according to specific plans and legal codes

Corrosion and Lack of Maintenance

Buildings suffer the effects of time. If they are not properly inspected and maintained, stresses such as expanding cracks or corroded infrastructure can cause collapse.

Improper Use

Sometimes, buildings are constructed to support specific purposes. Over time, they may be used for other reasons their design cannot support. This improper use can lead to collapse.

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Possible At-Fault Parties

Once the cause or causes of the collapse are determined, you can file suit against the responsible parties.

If the building was poorly designed, architects and engineers may hold responsibility for its collapse. If contractors or construction workers failed to follow designs for a safe structure or used inferior products to complete the job, they may be culpable.

If the property owner failed to have proper inspections and did not ensure the building was maintained, that party may be held accountable.

How Arizona Laws Can Affect Your Settlement

Arizona has a two-year statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims. You should, however, consult with a lawyer and file as soon as possible. With prompt access to your case, your lawyer will ensure your claim is filed well within the legal deadline and can begin building your case immediately.

In Arizona, personal injury cases operate under a pure comparative fault system. This means the plaintiff, the party filing the injury claim, can collect a settlement even if they hold some fault for the accident. The settlement is reduced in proportion to their degree of fault. If you hold 25% responsibility for the accident, your settlement is reduced by 25%.

Unfortunately, at-fault parties and the insurance companies representing them often attempt to deflect responsibility for their negligence or use dishonest means to exaggerate your percentage of fault as a way to reduce the compensation they have to pay. A skilled Phoenix building collapse attorney will not stand for these dishonest tactics, will advocate fiercely for your best interests, and hold at-fault parties accountable.

Consult with a Building Collapse Lawyer in Phoenix Today

Scheduling a meeting with an experienced Phoenix building collapse attorney is as easy as visiting the Zanes Law contact page and calling or sending a message. We will respond quickly to review your case and discuss your options during your free consultation. The Zanes Law legal team cares about each of its clients and will give your case the attention it needs and deserves.

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