Skanska loses federal lawsuit for damage from Hurricane Sally Barge: NorthEscambia.com

Skanska USA has lost a federal lawsuit for damage from multiple barges during Hurricane Sally.

The decision made by Judge Lacey A. Collier on Wednesday states that Skanska has acted negligently and cannot limit liability under a law of the sea.

The arrangement allows state lawsuits to seek financial assistance filed by nearly 1,000 others including businesses, homeowners, governments, and others claiming direct losses from the barges or the destruction of part of the Pensacola Bay Bridge.

Collier rejected Skanska’s argument that it was surprised by the fact that Hurricane Sally Pensacola would hit hard.

“While Pensacola might not be the most likely recipient of a direct strike at the time Skanska made his decision, the threat of tropical winds remained entirely possible. It is hard to accept Skanska’s statement of surprise about the turn of events when the Pensacola Bay area was under a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch at the time, â€the ruling reads. “In addition, the Skanska hurricane plan provided that the barges should be relocated to Butcherpen Cove in the situation depicted by Hurricane Sally.”