wireman71 said:
Someone just needs to sue the living day lights out of these crane assemblers, manufactures and anyone involved in it. Until it is seriously cost prohibitive to have people die from these accidents they will keep happening.
Family of crane victim to sue city for $30M
BY ZACHARY R. DOWDY |
zachary.dowdy@newsday.com
7:48 PM EDT, March 25, 2008
The family of a Seaford man who was killed when a crane collapsed in midtown Manhattan intends to sue New York City and its buildings department for tens of millions of dollars, claiming their neglect caused or contributed to the 45-year-old construction worker's death.
The notice of claim comes as the city announced yesterday that contractors may no longer raise or lower large cranes on construction sites unless a buildings inspector is present.
"The family is, as any other family would, experiencing great grief," said Alan Leibowitz, an attorney for the family of Clifford Canzona, who was atop the crane that fell some 18 stories without warning on March 15, flattening a town house and killing seven people.
The notice of claim, which is a warning of sorts alerting authorities that Canzona's family plans to file a lawsuit, was filed Monday with the city's corporation counsel.
"The City recognizes this involves a very tragic situation," said Law Department spokeswoman Laura Postiglione. "We just received the legal papers, and will review them thoroughly."
Leibowitz said he arrived at the $30 million figure because Canzona experienced terror contemplating his own death.
"He suffered the horror of falling from 18 floors to the ground below, being crushed by the collapsing crane all the while experiencing the most excruciating thoughts of his own death," read the notice. "He sustained terrific conscious pain and suffering prior to his own death."
Leibowitz said the city and buildings department failed to inspect the construction site, failed to revoke permits when improper methods were being used, ignored defects in the equipment, and failed to heed warnings.
The family of Santino Gallone, 37, of Huntington Station, one of five other construction workers who were killed at the site, could not be reached for comment.
Meanwhile, city officials announced yesterday that an inspector must be on site when a crane is raised or lowered.
They added: "These changes are being made as a precautionary measure as the department conducts its inspection sweep of tower cranes, assesses existing safety practices on crane sites, and continues its forensic investigation into the cause of the collapse of the tower crane."
Officials also sent a regulatory notice to the construction industry outlining the changes in protocol.
