Crane Collapse Lawsuit Filed Over Death of Two Workers in Texas

The families of two refinery workers killed a year ago in a Texas crane collapse have filed wrongful death lawsuits against a number of companies involved in the accident.

The collapse of a 30-story tall construction crane at the Lydonell Basell refinery in Houston on July 18, 2008, killed four workers and injured seven others. Last Friday, the families of Daniel Johnson, Jr. and Marion Hubert Odom III filed lawsuits asserting claims for gross negligence, negligence and product liability, according to a report in the Southeast Texas Record.

The crane collapse lawsuits were filed in Texas state court in Jefferson County against Houston Refining, Wyatt Field Service Company, Kempco Inspection Services, All Test and Inspection, Cranesmart Systems, Cranesmart America and Deep South Crane and Rigging.

The plaintiffs allege that the crane accident occurred because the boom, which is capable of lifting more than one million pounds, was raised too high. This caused the structure to topple over backwards and collapse.

The deaths came in the midst of a high-profile year for crane accidents nationwide. In New York City in March and May of 2008, deadly crane accidents killed a total of nine people and injured 28 others. Though there were no fatalities, another crane collapse at the Wyoming Black Thunder mine seriously injured two workers in May 2008 as well.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that up to 82 people are killed every year due to crane accidents or collapses, yet most do not get extensive media coverage. OSHA has been working on a new Cranes and Derrick rule since 2007.

But the deaths are not unusual, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which estimates that up to 82 people are killed every year in crane accidents, however most do not get extensive media coverage. OSHA has been working on new Crane and Derrick safety requirements since 2007, which would provde additional protection for workers from the hazards associated with certain construction activities.