PENSACOLA, Fla. — Eleven more businesses have filed lawsuits against Skanksa USA regarding Three Mile Bridge and the impact its shutdown is having on business.
Channel 3 reported on Nov. 5 that the law firm of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz filed lawsuits on behalf of: Flowers by Yoko (Gulf Breeze), Gibson Girl (Gulf Breeze), Aloha Liquors (Pensacola Beach), Bagelheads (Pensacola), Franco’s Italian Restaurant (Pensacola).
Aylstock said it filed 11 more cases Thursday morning on behalf of the following businesses:
- Marble Slab, Gulf Breeze (this business actually recently was forced to close)
- Shan Kishi, Gulf Breeze
- Gulf Breeze Bait & Tackle, Gulf Breeze
- Gulf Breeze Paddle, Gulf Breeze
- Tip N Toe Nail Salon, Gulf Breeze
- Aloha Screen Printing, Gulf Breeze
- Jacob’s Chiropractic & Wellness Center, Gulf Breeze
- Soft Tissues Therapies, Gulf Breeze
- Lazy Days Beach Rentals, Pensacola Beach
- Nom Sushi Izakaya, Pensacola
- Pensacola Ballroom Academy, Pensacola
“We’ve now filed 16 cases against Skanska on behalf of local businesses,” Aylstock says in an email. “We plan to keep filing on behalf of businesses on a weekly basis, and we’ll be filing on behalf of certain individuals soon.”
Aylstock adds that some of the businesses may soon be forced to close down.
FDOT has estimated that Three Mile Bridge will reopen in March following repairs after being shutdown since mid-September following Hurricane Sally.
Skanska constructed the new Pensacola Bay Bridge, which was severely damaged by loose barges during Hurricane Sally.
The businesses allege that the bridge’s extended closure is having significant impact on their business. They say Skanska should be held accountable since it failed to properly prepare for Hurricane Sally.