Structural Problems Caused Bridgeport Teen’s Death
Last week I blogged about a terrible accident in Bridgeport, Texas. The city released a preliminary engineering report last Friday after an investigation into the awning fall that killed Leslie Denison and injured her classmate Rebekah Logan. The report concluded that inefficient structural supports connecting the awning to the building, combined with weather factors, caused the awning to unexpectedly collapse.
The Bridgeport High School students were crushed by the falling awning last Tuesday when they were running as part of their cross country training.
According to the report, the city was unable to find records indicating the age of the building or how long the awning has been attached to Club Barbell and the neighboring businesses. The awning was attached to the top of the building on a grouted stone block wall, which can wear down over time, according to the report. The report also noted that there was no evidence of proper structural supports such as braces or bolts attaching the awning to the building. Weather may have played a part in the tragedy as well; the awning had a wood rather than metal frame, and wood can shrink, swell, or even warp from humidity over time.
There are two more awnings, located on either side of Club Barbell, addressed in the report. While one was determined to be fine, the other has structural problems and is considered dangerous.
This report is not that surprising. Something had to have caused this awning to fall. In this case, it just sounds like poor workmanship by the installer and poor maintenance by the building owner. It would be interesting to know how long the awning had been there.
Information provided by Texas Board Certified Attorney Mark A. Anderson who can be reached at 817-294-1900 or contacted by clicking here.
