On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, WQAD reported that Iowa Supreme Court Justice Thomas Waterman has recused himself from the case regarding the Davenport building collapse that occurred in May 2023. His decision to step aside is attributed to potential conflicts of interest stemming from his former law firm, Lane and Waterman, which has represented the City of Davenport and some former city employees named in the lawsuit.
The partial collapse of the building resulted in three fatalities: Ryan Hitchcock, Branden Colvin, and Daniel Prien. Additionally, a woman suffered a leg amputation to escape the rubble, and numerous residents were displaced, losing irreplaceable personal belongings.
The lawsuit, which includes a class action from several plaintiffs, targets multiple entities, including former building owner Andrew Wold, his LLCs, the City of Davenport, various city officials, and engineering firms. A prior property management company and the building’s owner are also part of the legal action.
About a year ago, the City of Davenport, alongside two former employees—Trishna Pradhan and Richard Oswald—appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court after a district judge denied their motion to dismiss the lawsuit. The city had sought to claim qualified immunity, but the judge ruled that its defendants were not entitled to this protection, except for one count against former City Administrator Corri Spiegel.
The city contends that the district judge erred in his ruling and has submitted a 56-page brief detailing its argument for qualified immunity under Iowa Code 670.4A. As a result of the pending appeal, all discovery in the case has been stayed.
The Iowa Supreme Court is set to hear the appeal on October 7, where both the city’s legal team and the plaintiffs’ attorneys will present their cases.
Source: WQAD
