[Sunshine Rules]

So now it appears the condo association was told back in 2018 that there were significant structural issues that needed to be repaired.


I've seen shortened versions of this same story, but this link has the full article:

https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Societ...condo-collapse

The report said the waterproofing under the pool deck had failed and had been improperly laid flat instead of sloped, preventing water from draining off. “The failed waterproofing is causing major structural damage to the concrete structural slab below these areas.

and

The report also uncovered “abundant cracking and spalling” of concrete columns, beams and walls in the parking garage. Some of the damage was minor, while other columns had exposed and deteriorating rebar. It also noted that many of the building’s previous attempts to fix the columns and other damage with epoxy were marred by poor workmanship and were failing.

and

“The building speaks to us. It is telling us we have a serious problem,” Schlesinger said in a telephone interview Saturday about the new documents. “They (building managers) kicked the can down the road. The maintenance was improper. These were all red flags that needed to be addressed. They weren’t.”



On a Tampa TV station this morning a building engineer was being interviewed by a reporter, and he said most structural failures in buildings can be traced back to lack of or improper maintenance of the structures. He said keeping exterior walls and roofs sealed against moisture intrusion is crucial for all buildings in FL, whether it's a multi story condo or a single family home.

Many experts are saying that there are probably a number of factors that worked to create a "perfect storm" for the building to collapse and it may takes weeks, even months, to come to any definite conclusions.

[Bobdreamz]

Lawyers in suit over Surfside collapse reveal staggering legal settlement: $997 million

In a surprisingly swift resolution of the Champlain Towers South class-action lawsuit, relatives of the victims and survivors of the Surfside condo collapse have reached a settlement that will pay them nearly $1 billion, a state court judge was told Wednesday.

The comprehensive settlement announced in Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Michael Hanzman’s courtroom effectively closes the litigation phase of the case. Still to be decided: the individual shares the plaintiffs, including family members of the 98 people who died in the collapse, will receive.

Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/loc...#storylink=cpy

[1insider]

Originally Posted by Bobdreamz

Lawyers in suit over Surfside collapse reveal staggering legal settlement: $997 million

Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/loc...#storylink=cpy

No worries everyone. The insurance companies will not be increasing any premiums or declining to renew any master policies for older condo buildings. They never raise rates after a huge payout. /s

And a special thanks to the FL legislature who didn't do anything in response to the FL Bar's task force recommendations for changes to lessen chances of a repeat of this. One year anniversary next month.

[Ghaati]

Originally Posted by 1insider

No worries everyone. The insurance companies will not be increasing any premiums or declining to renew any master policies for older condo buildings. They never raise rates after a huge payout. /s

And a special thanks to the FL legislature who didn't do anything in response to the FL Bar's task force recommendations for changes to lessen chances of a repeat of this. One year anniversary next month.

Thanks Ron DeSantis, for making sure those awesome board members aren't held personally accountable for not complying with the recommendations of the task force. Thanks for making the task force just a nudge nudge wink wink just kidding group that pays lipservice to the people but doesn't actually accomplish anything. And thanks for making sure those task force employees are well paid for their tireless work at spinning the propaganda machine, so that we can keep folks coming to our great state.

[Corrie22]

Originally Posted by Ghaati

Thanks Ron DeSantis, for making sure those awesome board members aren't held personally accountable for not complying with the recommendations of the task force. Thanks for making the task force just a nudge nudge wink wink just kidding group that pays lipservice to the people but doesn't actually accomplish anything. And thanks for making sure those task force employees are well paid for their tireless work at spinning the propaganda machine, so that we can keep folks coming to our great state.

I guess it's just easy to blame DeSantis for everything...isn't it?..don't have to research a thing....just blame DeSantis....easier than looking something up

The board had approved a $15million assessment....the work had just started when the building collapsed

[1insider]

Originally Posted by Corrie22

I guess it's just easy to blame DeSantis for everything...isn't it?..don't have to research a thing....just blame DeSantis....easier than looking something up

The board had approved a $15million assessment....the work had just started when the building collapsed

I'm not a Desantis fan but this is not his fault. It's on the legislature. They debated the task force recommendations but one member would not compromise so instead of doing something, anything they did nothing. Aging and possibly dangerous condo structures have no more oversight than they did before the collapse. The recommendations contained several easy items that would have helped but our lawmakers' minds were on more pressing matters like gay math books and punishing Disney.

[Ghaati]

Originally Posted by 1insider

I'm not a Desantis fan but this is not his fault. It's on the legislature. They debated the task force recommendations but one member would not compromise so instead of doing something, anything they did nothing. Aging and possibly dangerous condo structures have no more oversight than they did before the collapse. The recommendations contained several easy items that would have helped but our lawmakers' minds were on more pressing matters like gay math books and punishing Disney.

Minimum standards are pretty typical in some states - where the laws are codified and breaking them results in astoundingly large fines, building closures, and business shut downs. A state legislature can (and usually does) require minimum standards. Not recommendations - requirements. A municipality such as a city or county can always add even higher restrictions and requirements if they want.

But it sounds to me that the state's minimum requirements were either not enforced - which is the state's responsibility - or not high enough - which is also the state's responsibility.

[1insider]

The task force was created after the collapse because the existing standards and oversight weren't enough to prevent the collapse. They studied the causes of the collapse and what might have prevented it and gave the legislature a list of recommendations for legislation but the legislature chose not to draft a single one into law.

[logybogy]

I'm not sure it matters any more if the state does anything or not. The private sector is basically filling into the void by cancelling insurance policies without lots of inspections and upgrades. The condo market is a complete disaster and basically every property that isn't taking inspections and upgrades seriously will be cancelled coverage and dumped onto Citizen's. The state is going to be taking on an incredible amount of risk if South Florida ever faces a Cat 5 storm. It'll bankrupt the state insurance market and require a bailout from the federal government the way things are headed. The market can't handle that $500 Billion to $1 Trillion damage storm that the long overdue repeat of the 1926 Miami hurricane will inflict.

[MOforthewin]

Originally Posted by logybogy

I'm not sure it matters any more if the state does anything or not. The private sector is basically filling into the void by cancelling insurance policies without lots of inspections and upgrades. The condo market is a complete disaster and basically every property that isn't taking inspections and upgrades seriously will be cancelled coverage and dumped onto Citizen's. The state is going to be taking on an incredible amount of risk if South Florida ever faces a Cat 5 storm. It'll bankrupt the state insurance market and require a bailout from the federal government the way things are headed. The market can't handle that $500 Billion to $1 Trillion damage storm that the long overdue repeat of the 1926 Miami hurricane will inflict.

I posted about this before too. What if we have a 2004 type season again? lets say a big cat4 or 5 hits SEFL, and a big one hits the west coast of FL?


It's going to wreck the FL economy and cause a regional economic recession or worse. Like lets say a storm like Andrew except it's larger in size like the size of Dorian and hits Miami head on and major hurricane force winds also take up Broward county as well. Crosses and exits Naples and then heads for Pensacola.