A settlement was awarded to the families of victims who died in a deadly crane collapse. The 2019 tragedy happened at a Google construction project. The jury found that Northwest Tower Crane, Omega Morgan, GLY Construction and Morrow Equipment we’re negligent in the collapse.
The jury awarded the four families $150 million. The crane crash occurred due to high winds. It was reported that the company was in the process of taking the crane down when it all happened. The court found that instructions for breaking the crane down was not followed. In addition to the four deaths, three people were also injured.
This was argued as a case of negligence. A lawyer must show the jury there was failure to use reasonable care, resulting in damage or injury to another. The elements of negligence must find there the companies had a duty, that duty was breached, the breach is the cause in fact or the proximate cause of the harm.
The jury assigned 45% of the blame to Northwest Tower Crane. That company had the duty to set up and dismantle the equipment. Another company was given 30% of the blame. That company was the mobile crane subcontractor Omega Morgan. Finally, ; and 25% to Morrow Equipment, the crane owner. Morrow Equipment was given 25% of the blame which also equals to the share of the settlement that has to be paid.
An attorney for Northwest Tower issued the following statement: “Northwest Tower Crane Service respects the verdict of the jury and thanks them for their service in this trial. Northwest Tower Crane changed its practices immediately after this tragic accident and continues to strive to make safety its top priority.”
The tragedy ended the lives of ironworkers Andrew Yoder, 31, and Travis Corbet, 33, who were working on the project, Alan Justad, a 71-year-old city planning official and Sarah Wong, a 19-year-old Seattle Pacific University student.
