Wildwood, New Jersey - Three-Story Deck Collapse Leaves More Than 20 Injured

Three Floors Of Outdoor Decking Collapse On Each Other, Trapping Dozens Underneath

Around 6 PM on Saturday, September 14th, the decks of a three-story home came crashing down onto dozens of victims unexpectedly.  It is not clear yet what may have caused the collapse.

The home is located on the 200 block of E. Baker Avenue, just one block away from Wildwood High School.

Among the victims were children and infants, as well as various firefighters, many of whom were in town for the New Jersey Firemen’s Convention. Witness reports indicate that as soon as the collapse occurred, bystanders wasted no time in moving to rescue those trapped under the wreckage.

It is presumed that the quick response may have saved lives, as no deaths were reported. A total of 22 individuals were taken to local hospitals for treatment, with many of them being released the same day, though one had to be airlifted to a trauma center.

The Wildwood Fire Department is currently working with various groups to secure the remaining component of the home’s roof which did not fall in the accident.

In researching this story, I contacted our experienced building collapse attorney Brian Kent for commentary and insight regarding these types of accidents.

PA: Who is liable for the structural integrity of a building?

BK: Errors made at any point in the construction process can threaten a structure, which entails that many different groups can be at fault for catastrophic failures.

For example, an engineer is legally and ethically tasked with ensuring the structural strength of a building that they have designed.

Likewise, the contractors or subcontractors who built the structure itself are also expected to employ the proper materials and tools for the job. If these individuals do not follow the architectural plan precisely, the building is likely to fail, injuring those inside.

Both of these could be found to be at fault if proper procedure is not followed.

PA: Can the materials used in a construction be the cause of a failure?

BK: Certainly! If a lower quality material is used in place of the proper component so as to save money, a structure can literally collapse under its own weight.

PA: What other factors can cause building collapses?

BK: One of the most common issues we’ve encountered in different types of building collapse accidents is improperly built foundations. In some instances, the issue can be with the soil below. In others, there could be issues with the fill material. Unfortunately, these seemingly unimportant factors can add up to horrifying accidents.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a building collapse accident, you are encouraged to reach out to an experienced attorney who can walk you through all of the legal options at your disposal.

Source

https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2019/09/15/new-jersey-deck-collapse-sandoval-ndwknd-vpx.cnn/video/playlists/top-news-videos/