Miami-Dade Fire Chief David Downey reported that twenty-four people were taken to the hospital as a result of a Miami Accident after being injured when the dock collapsed outside the well known Miami (North Bay Village) restaurant Shuckers Bar & Grill. Reports indicate at approximately 9:45pm last Thursday evening the dock collapsed as approximately 100 people were on the deck watching the Miami Heat playoff game against the San Antonio Spurs. People report hearing a loud snapping sound before the deck rumbled into Biscayne Bay. Several of the guests were seriously injured as they plunged into the water below them.
Police searched the waters extensively. After all guests accounted for people in their party, the search was called off. The investigation is just beginning and it may take months to determine why the dock crashed into the water below. It could have have been deterioration over time combined with over-crowding. One thing is for certain, the outside deck of a restaurant should never collapse into the water. There will likely be many lawsuits filed alleging negligent maintenance and overcrowding of the deck. Maybe better inspections of decks used by restaurants for public seating are in order. This restaurant is a popular spot for weekend boaters and avid sports fans. There could not have been a worse day for this to happen with the restaurant packed with fans watching the Miami Heat game. This incident has been described as “pandemonium” and, but for the quick reactions of the restaurants guests pulling people out of the water, it could have been much worse. It is reported that at least one person is still in the hospital with catastrophic injury.
As a local boater and one who has been to Shucker’s in the past, my heart goes out to the people injured in this incident. Jeffrey S. Altman is a Miami Personal Injury Lawyer that represents clients throughout Florida for Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Personal Injury. Our office is located in Miami on Biscayne Boulevard – minutes from North Miami, North Miami Beach, Aventura, South Beach and North Bay Village. If you need a Free Consultation to discuss an case, please call Jeffrey S. Altman at 305.373.3730 or email to jaltman@altmanlawfirm.com.