Minnesota’s Claim Over Bridge Collapse Can Proceed

The Minnesota Supreme Court says the state may seek compensation from a California design firm that tried to block lawsuits over the Minneapolis bridge collapse.

Wednesday’s ruling allows the state’s claim against Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. of Pasadena to proceed.

The Supreme Court says statutes passed in 2008 allow the state to seek reimbursement from parties that may have contributed to the 2007 collapse that killed 13 people and injured 145. A federal investigation found a design flaw was a key cause.

The Supreme Court says the statutes don’t violate Jacobs’ constitutional rights. The state has paid over $37 million to victims, through those statutes and an emergency fund.

Also Wednesday, the Supreme Court ruled a lawsuit filed by another firm seeking to share liability with Jacobs could be dismissed.