The demolition of the partially collapsed Surfside condo building.Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty
The families of victims and survivors of the Champlain Towers South condo collapse will reportedly receive over $55 million after reaching a settlement with three defendants in a class action lawsuit.
CNNandThe Miami Heraldreport that law firm Becker, engineering firm Morabito Consultants and DeSimone Consulting Engineers will pay a settlement through their insurance firms after the deadly condo collapse left 98 people dead in June 2021.
Becker — which represented the Champlain South condo association — will pay $31 million, according to a Tuesday court filing, per theHerald. Morabito — the engineering firm that was tasked with inspecting Champlain Towers South for a 40-year recertification — will pay $16 million, and DeSimone Consulting Engineers will pay $8.55 million.
Becker and Morabito’s settlements were previously announced in court in February, according to theHerald. At the time, the settlement amounts were not publicly shared.
The demolition of the partially collapsed Surfside condo building.GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty
Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Michael Hanzmann preliminarily approved the $55 million settlement, but the settlement needs to receive final approval, according to CNN.
Becker issued a statement Tuesday denying their responsibility in the collapse, per CNN.
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Morabito also denied responsibility in the condo collapse in a statement released in February, per CNN. The company said they agreed to settle so families of victims could be compensated and “focus on healing.”
The Champlain Towers South condo collapsed in the early hours of June 24, 2021. The remaining structure was later demolished, and an auction of the property is set for late April, theAssociated Pressreported.
source: people.com
