PENSACOLA, Fla. — The attorneys representing the dozens of businesses suing Skanska USA are still waiting for a decision on an appeal.
Last year, Skanska appealed a federal judges ruling that found the company was negligent and responsible for the damage their barges caused during Hurricane Sally.
Recently the attorneys say they’ve seen some movement in the case.
Attorney Sam Geisler from Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz — who’s also working with Levin Papantonio Rafferty and Beggs & Lane law firms — says local state judges have asked them to have their cases ready to go.
Skanska appealed a federal judges decision in January of last year.
That decision found Skanska negligent in the damage caused after their barges crashed into the new span of the Three Mile Bridge during Hurricane Sally.
Geisler says Skanska is trying to slow down the litigation process.
If Skanska loses their appeal, it’s Geisler’s hope that the trials will take place in state court here in Escambia County.
“State judiciary has made it clear they want those cases to get moving. If their are any more attempts from Skanska to slow things down or pause litigation, they want to have those heard,” Geisler said. “At the end of the day, we want accountability. I’ll be on the case until that’s achieved or not.”
Geisler says he hopes the federal judges rule on the appeal soon.
Geisler says Skanska caused millions of dollars in damage during Hurricane Sally by not properly securing their barges. But he can’t put a number on how much he believes each of the claimants are owed.
WEAR News reached out to Skanska for a comment but have not heard back yet.