Remember this from a few months ago? Here is an update from the Houston Chronicle.
The family of a 10-year-old boy killed when a sign toppled over in the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is suing the Houston-area company that made the sign as well as other contractors involved in its design,construction and installation.
Luke Bresette of Overland Park, Kan., died March 22 after being crushed by the arrival-departure sign that weighed at least 300 pounds, according to the Associated Press.
Fish Construction, Inc., of Stafford was hired to design, construct, assemble and install four such signs, known as Multiple User Flight Information Displays, or MUFIDs, according to the suit filed June 5 by Ryan and Heather Bresette, Luke Bresette's parents.
The suit, filed in Jefferson County, Ala., Circuit Court, names Fish Construction and eight other defendants, including Brasfield & Gorrie General Contractors Inc. and BLOC Global Services Group.
The Birmingham Airport Authority, which had undertaken a renovation of the airport, is not named as a defendant in the suit.
According to the complaint, Fish Construction created a detailed drawing of the signs showing precise materials and assembly, which were approved by other defendants.
Fish Construction allegedly modified the drawings to increase the thickness of the sign's front panel, which added to the sign's instability, according to the suit.
"All defendants knew or should have known that the flawed design, the improper modifications and the failure to secure or anchor the free-standing MUFIDs would result in instability and a foreseeable risk of fatal danger to the general public who would be utilizing the airport concourse," the suit states.
According to the suit, Brasfield & Gorrie and BLOC installed four of the signs.
While steps were taken to anchor three signs to the floor or wall, the fourth sign was left free-standing without any anchor to the floor, wall or ceiling, the suit states.
The fourth sign is the one that fell forward on members of the Bresette family, killing Luke and injuring his mother and two brothers, the suit states.
The suit, which requests a jury trial, seeks unspecified punitive damages.
Tim Dollar, of the Kansas City, Mo., law firm Dollar, Burns & Becker, issued a statement June 5 on behalf of the family:
"The Bresettes and their attorneys are committed to the integrity of the civil justice system and believe that all parties involved in the litigation should receive a fair trial. Accordingly, the Bresettes and their attorneys intend to refrain from further public comments about this litigation until the case is concluded," the statement said.
The family is also represented by Jeff Friedman of Birmingham.
An attorney representing Fish Construction did not immediately return a call for comment.
Brasfield & Gorrie and BLOC issued a joint statement on Thursday:
"Brasfield & Gorrie/BLOC acknowledges the recent lawsuit filed against our companies. The Bresette family has experienced a terrible tragedy, and we understand their decision to pursue answers from the parties involved in the design and construction of the airport terminal. To protect the privacy of all those involved, as well as the legal process, we cannot discuss the full details of the litigation matters," the statement said.
"For many years, Brasfield & Gorrie and BLOC have consistently earned their reputations as ethical and competent builders, and we are respected in the industry for our core values and commitment to doing the right thing. We are committed to addressing the issues surrounding the unfortunate accident at the airport through the legal system in a respectful and cooperative manner."
The family of a 10-year-old boy killed when a sign toppled over in the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is suing the Houston-area company that made the sign as well as other contractors involved in its design,construction and installation.
Luke Bresette of Overland Park, Kan., died March 22 after being crushed by the arrival-departure sign that weighed at least 300 pounds, according to the Associated Press.
Fish Construction, Inc., of Stafford was hired to design, construct, assemble and install four such signs, known as Multiple User Flight Information Displays, or MUFIDs, according to the suit filed June 5 by Ryan and Heather Bresette, Luke Bresette's parents.
The suit, filed in Jefferson County, Ala., Circuit Court, names Fish Construction and eight other defendants, including Brasfield & Gorrie General Contractors Inc. and BLOC Global Services Group.
The Birmingham Airport Authority, which had undertaken a renovation of the airport, is not named as a defendant in the suit.
According to the complaint, Fish Construction created a detailed drawing of the signs showing precise materials and assembly, which were approved by other defendants.
Fish Construction allegedly modified the drawings to increase the thickness of the sign's front panel, which added to the sign's instability, according to the suit.
"All defendants knew or should have known that the flawed design, the improper modifications and the failure to secure or anchor the free-standing MUFIDs would result in instability and a foreseeable risk of fatal danger to the general public who would be utilizing the airport concourse," the suit states.
According to the suit, Brasfield & Gorrie and BLOC installed four of the signs.
While steps were taken to anchor three signs to the floor or wall, the fourth sign was left free-standing without any anchor to the floor, wall or ceiling, the suit states.
The fourth sign is the one that fell forward on members of the Bresette family, killing Luke and injuring his mother and two brothers, the suit states.
The suit, which requests a jury trial, seeks unspecified punitive damages.
Tim Dollar, of the Kansas City, Mo., law firm Dollar, Burns & Becker, issued a statement June 5 on behalf of the family:
"The Bresettes and their attorneys are committed to the integrity of the civil justice system and believe that all parties involved in the litigation should receive a fair trial. Accordingly, the Bresettes and their attorneys intend to refrain from further public comments about this litigation until the case is concluded," the statement said.
The family is also represented by Jeff Friedman of Birmingham.
An attorney representing Fish Construction did not immediately return a call for comment.
Brasfield & Gorrie and BLOC issued a joint statement on Thursday:
"Brasfield & Gorrie/BLOC acknowledges the recent lawsuit filed against our companies. The Bresette family has experienced a terrible tragedy, and we understand their decision to pursue answers from the parties involved in the design and construction of the airport terminal. To protect the privacy of all those involved, as well as the legal process, we cannot discuss the full details of the litigation matters," the statement said.
"For many years, Brasfield & Gorrie and BLOC have consistently earned their reputations as ethical and competent builders, and we are respected in the industry for our core values and commitment to doing the right thing. We are committed to addressing the issues surrounding the unfortunate accident at the airport through the legal system in a respectful and cooperative manner."
