Minn. bridge victims: Companies breached contracts

Article by: Associated Press
Updated: January 7, 2009 - 4:31 PM

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ST. PAUL, Minn. - Attorneys for victims of the Interstate 35W bridge collapse say they have a strong case to sue two private companies for breach of contract.

Four victims are suing URS Corp., the San Francisco consultant who analyzed the bridge, and Progressive Contractors Inc. of St. Michael, whose crews were resurfacing the span when it failed.

The victims' attorneys say the companies' contracts with the Minnesota Department of Transportation required them to protect the public, and those hurt by the collapse have standing to sue over the breach of that protection.

The brief also says URS had liability insurance to cover claims of injury and death.

The victims — three who were injured in the collapse and the family of a truck driver who died — are also suing the firms for negligence.

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