By Brad Kellar
– The Hunt County Jail lawsuit has been expanded to include five more defendants, bringing the total to six, and increasing the damages sought to $30 million.
Hunt County formally filed suit against two Ft. Worth firms in 2009, claiming they both failed to adhere to warnings the jail was being built on unstable soil. Since it opened, the facility has reportedly experienced numerous issues including cracks in the walls.
Commissioners have previously agreed to a $770,000 settlement with the architects involved. The suit against the engineers, Frank W. Neal and Associations, remains pending.
Now an amended petition has been filed to include the firms of Quantum Contracting of Royse City, Hanna Construction of Sulphur Springs, J.T. Turner Construction of Rockwall, Concrete Walls Inc. of Garland and Don Burden and Associates of Dallas, in the suit.
Attorneys are hoping to get a trial date this year.