Personal Injury Lawyers in New York

On March 20, a New York City inspector was arraigned in connection with the March 15 collapse of the 20-story crane (see last Wednesday’s blog in this space). He was charged with falsifying business records and “offering a false instrument for filing”. His name is Edward Marquette and he worked as an inspector in the NY Department of Buildings division of cranes and derricks.

What this amounts to is that he is charged with lying about whether or not he had inspected this crane. The crane was attached to a Manhattan building under construction by two six-ton steel collars. The top one came loose and fell on to the lower one, detaching it from the building. With no support, the crane collapsed and killed 7 people, mostly workers on that construction site.

City records show that several local residents had called in complaints about the crane’s questionable safety. Buildings Commissioner Patricia Lancaster said that complaints were received on January 10 and February 11, and one on March 4 to the city’s 311 hot line. Marquette told them he inspected it but they later determined that he had not.

However, Lancaster also said that even if he had inspected the crane on March 4, it would probably not prevented the crane’s collapse, because the two steel collars were not at the construction site on that day.

Residents were upset with the construction site because of its early-morning noise, besides the crane’s doubtful safety. The jackhammers and drills had been starting at 7 a.m. and neighbors were wondering how the work crew had received permission to start work so early.

If you have been injured by something unsafe at a construction site, please give us a call, or send an email. We’d be glad to give you a complimentary consultation. We have over twenty years of experience in representing construction site workers, and as much experience representing members of the public who have been hurt by a negligent premises owner.