Building Collapse Lawsuits Seek to Get Answers, Assign Blame

People look out from a balcony onto the collapsed and subsequently demolished Champlain Towers South condominium building in Surfside, Fla., on July 6, 2021. Lynne Sladky/AP Photo

The quest to learn why a Florida condo building collapsed has already moved to the legal system, even before rescuers finish searching for victims and possible survivors.

Authorities have opened criminal and civil investigations into the collapse of the oceanfront Champlain Towers South, which killed at least 36 people and left more than 100 missing. At least six lawsuits have been filed by Champlain Towers families.