Suits filed by families of 2 killed in collapse

The first lawsuits by families of people killed in last month's building collapse have been filed.

Two suits were filed July 3 by the families of Borbor Davis and Juanita Harmon, two of the six killed at the Salvation Army thrift store at 22d and Market Streets when a four-story building being demolished next door toppled onto the shop.

The suits, filed in Common Pleas Court, name Richard Basciano, who owned the building that collapsed, Sean Benschop, the excavator operator who also faces criminal charges, and associated firms as defendants.

Writs of summons, but not yet complaints, have been filed. Robert Mongeluzzi, the personal injury lawyer also representing six survivors in separate litigation, will represent the Davis and Harmon estates. Mongeluzzi was not immediately available for comment Friday afternoon.

Daniel Conner will join Mongeluzzi as cocounsel in the Davis family's case.

Before the lawsuits filed by the families, only survivors had hired lawyers. In addition to the six represented by Mongeluzzi, four other survivors have filed lawsuits.

Davis, an immigrant from Liberia, worked in the Salvation Army basement. Harmon was shopping in the store. Both were senior citizens.

Juanita Harmon's son, Angelo, called the lawsuit his "only alternative."

"I don't know who's at fault. I know my mother's dead," Harmon said. "Somebody's accountable for this."