Johnson Pope law firm sues 400 Central builders over hurricane crane accident

Nearly two years since a crane working on a downtown St. Petersburg condominium collapsed onto a neighboring office building during Hurricane Milton, one prominent former tenant is seeking justice. On Thursday, Johnson Pope law firm teamed up with its insurance provider, Starr Surplus Lines Insurance Company, to file suit against several groups that helped build the Residences at 400 Central condo. In Pinellas County Court filings, they claim the construction team’s negligence led to the crane accident that ultimately destroyed Johnson Pope’s offices at 490 First Ave. S.Johnson Pope claims that developer Red Apple Group, general contractor Suffolk Construction and crane operator Liberty Equipment should be responsible for any damages not covered by insurance.None of the defendants responded to requests for comment. A similar lawsuit against the same three companies has been brewing for months now.A group of insurance companies that paid out a collective $10.5 million in claims on 490 First Ave. S filed suit against Red Apple, Suffolk and Liberty in November. That case was later recategorized as a “complex action”suit, which would make it easier to coordinate different lawsuits related to the crane accident should more former tenants choose to file suit.Johnson Pope previously sued the office building’s owner to get out of its lease. That case was voluntarily dismissed a few months later, and the company has since relocated to the First Central Tower at 360 Central Ave.The hurricane-ravaged office tower was recently listed for sale.