• 29
  • September
    2011

According to a recent New York Supreme Court ruling, the criminal trial of the owner of a collapsed crane that killed two construction workers in 2008 is set to start in mid-November in New York City.

2008 Crane Accident

This particular criminal prosecution stems from a construction accident on East 91st Street that killed a crane operator and another construction worker when a crane collapsed in May of 2008. The charges involve what investigators are calling a defect that caused the crane to collapse to the street - killing the two workers in the process.

What is even more surprising about this particular accident is that another crane with the same owner toppled on East 51st Street just two months earlier, killing seven people. The owner was not charged in this accident though, but a rigging contractor was charged with manslaughter for using faulty slings while bracing the crane.

New York Supreme Court Decision

The owner defendant had filed a motion to dismiss in the New York Supreme Court asking that the criminal charges be dropped since he contends the prosecutors presented "skewed" evidence before the grand jury.

In denying this motion to dismiss, Judge J. Thomas Farber stated, "It seems reasonably clear that the defendants knew that a defective weld in the slew bearing would be disastrous and would almost certainly result in death or serious physical injury to workers or passersby."

Farber continued, "With respect to criminal negligence, a jury could certainly find that defendants, in order to save money and time, had a critical part manufactured by a company that they clearly should have known could not manufacture the part to acceptable standards."

Civil Liability in Crane Accidents

As this crane accident illustrates, working around heavy machinery can be extremely dangerous. Accidents in situations like this cause severe injuries and often times death. Not only can owners and operators be held accountable in a criminal court, but also liable in a civil court for the injuries they inflict on others by their negligent acts. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crane accident, contact an experienced crane accident attorney to be advised of your rights and options.