Family files lawsuit over fatal sign collapse at BHM

The family of the boy killed when a sign fell at the newly renovated Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against several Birmingham companies involved in the $201 million construction project.

Ryan and Heather Bresette, parents of the 10-year-old victim, filed the suit Wednesday afternoon in Jefferson County Circuit Court.

The suit, which seeks unspecified damages for the death, injuries and emotional pain caused by the incident, names several defendants, including Brasfield & Gorrie, Bloc Global Services Group LLC, KPS Group Inc., KHAFRA Engineering Consultants Inc., A.G. Gaston Construction Co. Inc., Saber Construction Inc., Fish Construction Inc., Monumental Contracting Service LLC and Intersystems USA Inc.

The airport and its authority, which AL.com has noted are provided immunity from simple negligence claims, were not named as defendants in the lawsuit.

Luke Bresette was killed and other members of his family were injured when a flight information display unit fell onto him and three others in his family, which was traveling through Birmingham en route to their home in Kansas following a trip to Florida.

The accident occurred just a few weeks after the opening of the new terminal at the airport.

The lawsuit, which requests a jury trial, claims the negligence of the defendants caused the wrongful death of Luke Bresette, as well as physical injuries and emotional damage to other members of the family.

Representatives for multiple defendants declined to comment on the specifics of the lawsuit or details of the case, citing the litigation and the need to respect the privacy of the family.

Ty West is the managing editor for the Birmingham Business Journal. Click here to follow him on Twitter.