Firms Represent Bridge Victims Pro Bono
High-profile firms in Minnesota are pooling together, offering to represent victims of the Aug. 1 Minneapolis interstate bridge collapse for free.
According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Big Tobacco veteran Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi is among a “who’s who” list of plaintiffs firms signed up to represent victims pro bono. One of the firm’s partners, Chris Messerly, is quoted saying that his firm won’t accept fees even if large sums are won for the victims.
Other firms also are already representing victims, but on a contingency basis. Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben, a Minneapolis personal injury firm, has taken on contingency clients, but told the paper it is also doing significant pro bono work, “including finding sources of payment for medical bills, lost wages and funeral expenses as well as making sure the body of one of the victims was returned to Mexico.”
As for who will be sued and when, that remains to be seen. “We have to assess who’s responsible,” Messerly told the paper.
Numerous people were injured and at least 12 died when the Interstate 35W bridge collapsed.
