Construction companies could blame victims for not escaping WSOC TV [Video]

CHARLOTTE — The companies building the SouthPark apartments where two workers died in a massive fire may use a legal defense if they’re found negligent.

Earlier this year, the families of the two men filed a wrongful death lawsuit against companies involved in the construction project.

Channel 9 has learned attorneys for several of the companies named may use what’s called a “contributory negligence defense.” According to our partners at the Charlotte Observer, that means if the companies are found negligent for the fire, then the victims were also negligent for not escaping.

That could mean the victims’ families might not get financial compensation at all.

READ MORE:

• 9 Investigates: Studying the SouthPark fire; what happened and what’s next?
• SouthPark fire: ‘Not a day has gone by that I haven’t thought about it,’ firefighters say
• Families of SouthPark construction fire victims file wrongful death lawsuit
• Construction companies cited for OSHA violations after deadly SouthPark fire

This legal defense is allowed only in North Carolina, three other states, and Washington, D.C.

The accidental fire in …