The 3-story building in Neptune Beach, Florida where a balcony collapsed and injured 8 people, some seriously, stands at the corner of First Street and Margaret. Our balcony collapse injury lawyers note that Ernest Russell Jr owns the rental property.
Inspectors sent to the 3-story rental property after the catastrophic Neptune Beach balcony collapse found serious problems throughout the structure that led them to condemn the building and order the residents to vacate for their safety. What they found has reportedly also led them to start inspecting other rental properties owned by Ernest Russell Jr.
Problems found during the inspection include:
Our balcony collapse injury lawyers have seen some comments taking issue with how many people might have been on the balcony at the time of its collapse, and how actively they were moving about. But we doubt that the number of people or their activity was truly significant.
Did You Witness the Neptune Beach Balcony Collapse? Contact Us and Let Us Know What Happened
At Denena Points, PC, our balcony collapse injury lawyers fight for the rights of injured victims and work so that they could obtain the full financial recoveries they deserve after they’ve suffered needless harm in a structural failure.
The circumstances of the balcony collapse at Neptune Beach still seem unclear. If you saw the accident and know what happened, we urge you to contact us and report it. Your information could help the injured victims of the balcony collapse get justice. Reach us anytime through our online contact form or directly at 281-369-4363.
Rotten Wood Likely Meant the Balconies could have Collapsed at Any Time
The inspection report indicated improper construction and rotten wood. The balcony could have likely collapsed at any time, and the Fourth of July party merely hastened the inevitable.
The 3-story house in Neptune Beach where the balcony collapse occurred has been condemned and residents were forced to vacate because inspectors and officials appeared to believe that the other 3 balconies on the house were also rotten and improperly connected and could fall at any time.
One neighbor in Neptune Beach indicated that the traumatic accident has led him to consider having his own balcony inspected for safety. (Sources: Vic Micolucci, news4jax.com, 7/4/13; and Khristopher J. Brooks, Jacksonville.com, 7/5/13)
Our balcony collapse injury lawyers urge everyone with outdoor balconies, decks, porches, or stairways to have them inspected at least once yearly for safety. Especially if you live in a coastal climate, rot and corrosion could deteriorate the structures to unsafe levels very quickly. Ongoing maintenance and repair is critical to the safety of wooden outdoor structures.
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