Iowa Building Owner Sues Engineering Firm Over Deadly Collapse
In a recent development, Andrew Wold, the owner of an Iowa apartment building that tragically collapsed in May, resulting in the loss of three lives, has taken legal action against Select Structural Engineering. This lawsuit, filed just last week, alleges that the engineering company failed to provide adequate warning about the building’s structural instability and the necessity of evacuating residents.
The incident occurred on May 28 in Davenport when a portion of the six-story building gave way, leading to the deaths of three individuals. Emergency crews were compelled to amputate a woman’s leg to rescue her from the rubble.
Wold’s lawsuit contends that Select Structural Engineering did not properly assess the risk of a collapse, the potential hazards associated with such an event, nor the repairs that could have prevented it.
Serious Allegations
The lawsuit strongly asserts that, at no point, did Select Structural Engineering suggest that the flaws in the west wall warranted an evacuation of the building. In contrast, the engineering firm explicitly stated that the Davenport Hotel was not at risk of collapsing and that evacuation measures were unnecessary.
Select Structural Engineering, headquartered in Bettendorf, Iowa, has chosen not to comment on the matter.
Revelation of Emails
Furthermore, a recent report disclosed over 2,000 emails through a public records request. Among these emails, one from a city code enforcement officer to himself stood out. The officer sought to record a colleague’s remark made two days after the collapse, expressing concern about the building’s stability.
In the email dated May 30, Officer Tom Van De Wiele mentioned that a fellow code enforcement officer, Anthony Haut, had shown him photographs of an exterior wall, asserting that it indicated a potential hazard. Van De Wiele reported that Haut was “frustrated” and whispered, “the whole side is going to come down.”
Van De Wiele suggested that Haut should inform supervisors Rich Oswald or Beth Bringolf. However, Haut responded by saying, “I have, and Rich told me to back off and don’t worry about it.”
Legal Battles Continue
In the wake of the building collapse, numerous residents have initiated legal actions, contending that the building owner, the engineering firm, and city officials acted negligently. City-released documents indicate that all parties were aware of the building’s structural issues. Nevertheless, the engineering company maintained that there was no “imminent threat” to the building or its occupants.
The wreckage has since been cleared, and the site in downtown Davenport remains vacant.