Dolan Media Newswire Story
Subject: PCI settles suits related to I-35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis
Pub: Finance and Commerce
Author: Finance and Commerce Staff
Category:
Sub-Category:
Issue Date: 11/07/2009 Word Count: 10
PCI settles suits related to I-35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis
by Finance and Commerce Staff
Dolan Media Newswires
© Dolan Media Newswires 2009.MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- Attorneys say a construction company that was working on the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis when it collapsed in 2007 have settled lawsuits filed by victims.
Court-appointed mediators Steve Kirsch of St. Paul and John Harens of Minneapolis announced a settlement of all claims between the plaintiffs, Progressive Contractors Inc. (PCI), PCI’s insurers and the sate of Minnesota, announced the plaintiffs’ attorneys. Minneapolis law firm of Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben represented 34 of the I-35W victims and their families.
A federal investigation cited faulty design as the key reason for the collapse, but it also noted that the weight of construction materials was a contributing factor.
The settlement of this portion of the I-35W bridge litigation was approved by Hennepin County District Court Judge Deborah Hedlund on Friday. Hedlund said financial terms of the settlement, which affects 130 people, wouldn't be released.
Two other lawsuits related to the case are still pending. The state sued URS Corp. in July, alleging that URS breached its contract with the state and acted negligently in its study of the bridge’s condition. URS and PCI sued Jacobs Engineering Corp., the successor company of original bridge designer Sverdrup & Parcel.
Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is expressly forbidden.