Officials with the New York City Department of Buildings now blame the crane operator for a February collapse that killed one Wall Street employee who worked for Tower Research Capital in lower Manhattan.
Recently, the officials concluded that the 56-year-old crane operator from Port Jefferson didn’t properly secure the crane the night before the tragic accident. The massive 565-foot machinery toppled over in Tribeca on February 5.
According to Building Department officials, the operator also erred when lowering the main boom. The improper angle caused instability that led to its collapse. In addition to the fatality, the crane accident destroyed more than six cars and also clipped two buildings.
These findings concur with the outcome of an investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The federal safety agency determined the collapse occurred because of errors of the crane operator, who ironically was initially touted as a hero for appearing to steer the massive structure out of the way of high-rises.
The crane operator’s license was suspended by the Building Department, which has also moved to get it permanently revoked, The New York Times reports.
The widow of the deceased trader filed a lawsuit for $600 million against the city. In May, she filed her notice of claim with the Comptroller’s Office.
Her claim includes $550 million in lost wages, plus $25 million for the trader’s “conscious pain and suffering” and $25 million for loss of companionship and love.
If a construction worker’s negligence caused the loss of your loved one, or if you suffered injuries as a result, you can choose to seek compensation for your losses and damages.
Source: Daily Mail, “Fatal New York City crane collapse that killed Wall Street worker is blamed on operator error,” Regina F. Graham, Kiri Blakeley and Associated Press, Dec. 10, 2016