Suit Over Florida Parking-Garage Collapse Ensnares Six Firms

Six subcontractors have been sued by the developer of a six-story parking garage in Jacksonville, Fla., that collapsed in December 2007, killing one worker and injuring 23 others. Atlanta-based developer Berkman Plaza 2 LLC named Southern Pan Services, Co., Davie, Fla.; Universal Engineering Sciences Inc., Orlando, Fla.; Infinity Reinforcing Inc., Palm Coast, Fla.; P.T.E. Strand Co. Inc., Hialeah, Fla.; A.A. Pittman & Son Concrete Co., Mandarin, Fla., and Harsco Corp. d/b/a Patent Construction Systems, Paramus, N.J., as defendants in a lawsuit seeking damages “well in excess of” $36 million. Choate Construction Co., Atlanta, is general contractor and is named in the suit, but is not being sued because its contract with Berkman Plaza 2 requires conflict resolution via mediation and arbitration. The developer lists multiple claims against the subcontractors.