MOORE, Okla. – Construction continues this week where Plaza Towers Elementary stood a year ago.
It is hard to believe Tuesday will mark one year since a tornado knocked it down and took the lives of seven children.
Some have asked if the city or school district is responsible for those children’s deaths last May.
Randy Brink, the Moore City Attorney, says the parents of those children have filed tort claims against the city, just before the one-year statute of limitations ran out.
The tort claims allege the district, school and the city “…failed to implement and follow the established safety protocols and procedures…”
The parents also claim they “…failed to properly hire, retain and supervise qualified architects, engineers and contractors to construct the classroom addition to Plaza Towers Elementary…”
As a result, the claims say “… (parents) have suffered a loss, including being deprived of their (child’s) companionship, services, support, love and affection and have seen the parental child relationship destroyed.”
One of the claims demanded compensation in excess of one million dollars, or policy limits.
While Brink is limited on what he can say with pending litigation, he wants the public to keep one thing in mind.
“Not to jump to conclusions,” he said. “Just to let it take its course through the court system.”
The Moore City Council will have 90 days to respond to the tort claims.
They can accept them and pay the requested monetary damages or deny the claims, which most likely would lead to a lawsuit being filed against the city.