Building Collapse: Injury Compensation
Las Vegas, Nevada
Building collapse & liability
If you got injured in an accident related to a building collapse, the personal injury attorney at Heshmati & Associates could help.
While no attorney can reverse the tragic event of a building collapse accident where you got injured or lost a family member, we can help you get money to pay for your medical bills and other damages.
We represent clients in Las Vegas and Nevada.
To schedule a free consultation, call us at 702-432-1000.
What causes a building collapse?
A building can suddenly collapse for many different reasons:
- Mistakes and shortcuts made during design, construction, inspection,
- Violations of the building code,
- Structural failure,
- Cost-cutting measures,
- Water intrusion,
- Corrosion,
- Powerful wind,
- Earthquake,
- Fire or explosion,
- The weight of people or personal property,
- Blasts.
Vibrations coming from adjacent properties during repairs, demolition, or new building construction can damage the old building foundation and cause a building to collapse, injuring and killing many people.
Effects of building collapse
The effects of the building collapse could be devastating. The collapsing building can trap victims.
The results often include:
- Broken bones,
- Internal bleeding,
- Back injuries, or
- Head injuries.
Some building collapse victims require long-term, expensive medical treatment, and some have a permanent disability.
In June 2021, ninety-eight (98) people died when a portion of a condo building in South Florida collapsed.
Who is responsible if the building collapses?
While unforeseeable natural disasters (e.g., extremely strong wind or earthquake) can cause a building collapse, negligence and human error usually cause these accidents. Many government regulations exist to prevent the building from collapsing.
By doing necessary repairs and keeping the building "up to code," the owner (or multiple owners in some cases) could prevent many building collapse accidents.
The liable parties may include:
- The property owner or, in some cases, multiple owners,
- The property management company,
- Manufacturers of materials,
- Sub-contractors,
- Construction company,
- Building Inspectors,
- Building engineers,
- Architects.
More than one entity could be responsible for the building collapse accident and injuries.
Expert witnesses, forensic engineers, and building collapse simulation software are often used during trials to determine fault.
Building collapse compensation
Under Nevada laws, the negligent party is financially responsible for all damages.
The accident compensation includes:
- Medical bills (past, present, future),
- Lost wages,
- Property losses,
- Pain and suffering,
- PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder),
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
In wrongful death lawsuits, the victim's family can sue for:
- Funeral and burial expenses and
- Loss of the victim's income they would have earned if they had lived.
Latest building collapse incidents
May 2022. Three workers were injured, one with life-threatening injuries, after a partial building collapse at South Boston Edison Plant.
March 2022. Nearly a dozen people in Silver Spring, Maryland, were injured following a fire and explosion at a partially collapsed residential apartment complex.
January 2022. Bridge collapse on Nevada highway leaves a construction worker injured. A worker was rescued after being trapped in a building collapse for 3 hours.
August 2021. At least 20 were trapped, 4 hurt in Las Vegas partial building collapse at La Bonita Supermarket, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Class-action lawsuits and building collapse liability claims
Some building collapse cases result in a class-action lawsuit. For example, when a single incident leads to many people's injuries and loss of life, the injured victims and family members who lost someone in an accident can file a class-action lawsuit. (e.g., in 2021, a Surfside condo class-action lawsuit brought by families of victims and survivors.)
If you don't live in Las Vegas
If you are a Las Vegas visitor, but you got injured in an accident in Las Vegas, or somewhere in Nevada, the attorney licensed in Nevada must file a lawsuit on your behalf.
Our office handles many injury claims for NOT Las Vegas residents who got in an accident while visiting Las Vegas or Nevada.
An accident victim can receive medical treatment in their home city or state and still get compensated for medical bills and other damages.
We collect medical receipts and track the case's progress, from inception to settlement, from our office in Las Vegas, and when we settle the case, we mail the settlement check to our clients.
We can help
Building collapses are complex and can involve multiple responsible parties.
If someone is injured or killed in a building collapse, you need a knowledgeable and resourceful personal injury attorney to get a full and fair settlement. We will consult engineering experts and obtain inspection reports, camera footage, photos, and witness statements to assess the root cause of the collapse. Then, we will investigate whether or not any other parties contributed to the problem.
Call us at 702-432-1000 for a free consultation and to discuss your case.
Our fee is on a contingency basis, and we do not require payment until you receive compensation. You will not incur any legal charges or costs for our time and assistance unless we do our job and earn you a trial verdict or settlement. This way, we have every incentive to maximize your recovery.
We serve clients in Las Vegas, Summerlin, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and the rest of Nevada.
We also represent many tourists who got injured while vacationing in Las Vegas or Nevada.
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Last updated on January 30, 2024.
