Firefighter’s widow files lawsuit against University of Missouri

The widow of a Columbia firefighter killed in the line of duty is suing the University of Missouri.

Lt. Bruce Britt died while responding to a walkway collapse at University Village, a university-owned apartment complex in February.

On Monday, his wife, Leigh Britt, filed a lawsuit in Boone County Circuit Court naming the UM Board of Curators as a defendant.

The suit alleges the university knew conditions at University Village were dangerous and did nothing to correct those conditions.

The wrongful death suit claims Bruce Britt’s death is a direct result of the board’s negligence, pointing out members knew in 2012 the complex needed repairs or renovations, but chose neither because of a lack of financing.

ABC 17 talked with the Britt family’s lawyer who says he’s trying to get approval from MU to allow their own structural engineer to inspect the property, but MU’s response is officials are waiting on outside council.

The lawyer also tells us they plan to add an amendment to the lawsuit in the near future.

Bruce Britt’s surviving 3-year-old daughter is also listed as a plaintiff in the lawsuit.