ORLANDO, FL (WKMG/CNN) – The first lawsuit has been filed in connection with the pedestrian bridge collapse at Florida International University that killed six people on Thursday.
Orlando-based attorney Matt Morgan said his client, Marquise Hepburn, was riding his bike to work when the bridge failed.
According to Morgan, Hepburn was struck by a vehicle trying to get out of the way. He suffered spinal injuries and has since been released from the hospital.
Hepburn is suing companies involved in the design, construction and oversight of the bridge – companies including FIGG Bridge Engineers and Munilla Construction Management; FIU is not a defendant in the lawsuit, according to the Miami Herald.
Morgan said there are several factors regarding the safety of the bridge that will need further investigation.
Morgan’s firm, Morgan & Morgan, plans to look into reports that there was a meeting to discuss a reported crack in the bridge before the deadly collapse.
"If we assume that the facts that have been reported are true, then it appears as if the building team might have had knowledge that the bridge was in a dangerous condition, did not close the roadway, rerouting traffic, and then ultimately a failure resulted," Morgan said.
Morgan is only representing Hepburn and his family, but he said he’s open to helping other victims.
The case could potentially go on for years, and Morgan said monetary claims related to the bridge collapse could go up to $1 billion.
A second lawsuit has already been filed, this one on behalf of Alberto Arias, who was killed after his vehicle was crushed under the bridge.
FIU resumed classes Monday and held a moment of silence to honor the victims. A vigil is also planned for Wednesday as the investigation into the incident continues.
Copyright WKMG via CNN. Raycom News Network contributed to this report. All rights reserved.
