As negotiations near a conclusion for a settlement with victims of last year’s fatal Florida International University bridge collapse, the role of the Louis Berger Group as peer review consultant is proving crucial. Attorneys for families of the six people who were killed and survivors say Berger is the last defendant that has not agreed to terms in lawsuits in state court in Miami against the companies that designed and built the bridge.
As a peer review consultant, Berger's position was different. The firm, acquired by Montreal-based design giant WSP Global last year, didn't take credit for the creative design work. It wasn't a major player in the dramatic events preceding the disaster. It hadn't been involved with the job for months.