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Marlton, NJ (PRWEB) June 07, 2013

Unconfirmed reports from multiple media outlets, including CNN and the Philadelphia Inquirer*, indicate that at least two people have died during the errant demolition of a building in downtown Philadelphia Wednesday June 6. The building collapsed into a Salvation Army thrift store trapping multiple inside the rubble, reports indicate. Emergency responders rushed more than a dozen store occupants to nearby hospitals with moderate to severe injuries. Amidst the rescue effort, questions begin to swirl with regard to liability for the injuries of unsuspecting victims, and just who is to blame for the hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars in property damage thats likely to come down in the coming months. Richard P. Console Jr., managing partner of Console & Hollawell, has taken a keen interest in the rights of the building collapse victims.

These people are the epitome of innocent bystanders, Console said. Theyve suffered injuries, and in a couple cases lost their lives, through no fault of their own. Theyre deserving of compensation for their damages and its going to take the work of experienced, aggressive attorneys to see that they recover as much as possible. Were still early in the investigation process, so itll be interesting to see what actions contributed to this terrible event.

The firms attorneys are making themselves available for victims and their families who may have questions regarding liability in the aftermath of this serious event, especially given the emerging details. Philly.com** reports that the contractor charged with the demolition of the four-story building that collapsed in the wrong direction has a criminal record. The media outlet indicates the convictions were for charges of insurance fraud, filing false reports, and theft by deception. Residents and one architect claim, according to Philly.com., that demolition crews did not support the scheduled collapse properly, which may have led to the deadly accident. Console, a personal injury attorney in Philadelphia since 1994, wonders what other details might emerge.

The implications of negligence in this case could be far reaching, Console said. First and foremost are the victims who have incurred potentially life-changing amounts of expenses in medical costs and wage they might lose. Then there are local businesses that certainly have structural damage that isnt going to just fix itself. Someone at fault has to pay for all that, and someone should.

Console & Hollawell P.C. is a personal injury law firm serving injured victims in Philadelphia and the surrounding community. The firm has advocated for more than 5,000 clients achieving a 97 percent success rate for their claims.

*http://www.philly.com/philly/news/Building_collapse_.html

**http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20130606_New_York_developer_owner_of_collapsed_building.html