A judge has found the rigger blamed for a deadly New York City crane accident in 2008 not guilty for the construction disaster that killed seven people in midtown Manhattan, the Associated Press reported.
One of the nation’s deadliest crane accidents, the collapsing tower crane killed six construction workers and a tourist. The rigger has been the only person to face criminal charges; prosecutors allege that he did a reckless job of security the 200-foot crane.
The rigger declined a jury and left his fate up to a judge. His defense lawyer claimed the defendant acted in accordance with industry standards and that the accident was the fault of other engineering decisions and shoddy welding.
The fatal New York City construction accident, and a second crane accident that killed two people a month later, led to an overhaul of the city’s crane-inspection department. Other cities, including Chicago and Dallas have also taken a closer look at crane safety.
Cranes pose a real threat, not only to construction workers, but to those on the ground and residents and guests of adjacent buildings. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration reports that an average of 60 to 80 people are killed each year in crane accidents nationwide.
The City of New York licenses more than 1,700 crane operators.
If you have are injured in a construction accident in the New York City or Long Island areas, contact the Law Offices of Nicholas Rose to discuss your rights. Call 718.261.0549.
