Widow sues after fatal crane accident
On Feb. 6, 2016, a crane collapsed in Manhattan, killing one man. Recently, that man’s widow has decided that she is going to sue the city as a result of his death.
According to the lawsuit that was filed by her legal team, she wants $550 million for what she says was her husband’s wrongful death. Additionally, she wants $50 million more for numerous other claims, including the pain and suffering that he had to endure.
The man who passed away was just 38 years old. He was working as a stock market mathematician in Manhattan. High winds had sprung up in the city, and a construction team decided to take down a 565-foot-tall crawler crane so that the wind did not knock it over. Unfortunately, the crane did fall while they were in the process of lowering it. It landed on Worth Street, injuring three people and killing the woman’s husband.
One of the other men who was injured has decided to sue the city as well, and he’s going to ask for $20 million.
The woman has charged the city with negligence, saying proper supervision was not carried out when the weather conditions began to threaten the safety of the equipment. Though it is not clear whether or not she’s going to sue the companies that were involved, it’s worth noting that Bay Crane, which is located in Long Island City, owned the crane. The company using it was Galasso Trucking and Rigging, which is based out of Maspeth.
As you can see, the amount of compensation requested in wrongful death cases can be quite high, so it’s important for those who have lost loved ones to know what legal steps to take.
Source: Newsday, “Widow in TriBeCa crane collapse files claim against NYC,” Anthony M. DeStefano, May 16, 2016
