Victims of Seattle crane collapse to receive more than $112 million in compensation

2e712499 aba7 4844 870d 340edacdec79 ap seattle crane collapse

Three people who were injured and the families of two people killed after a crane collapsed on a Seattle construction site in 2019, will receive $112 million in a settlement, David Beninger, a lawyer for one of the victims told ABC News Tuesday.

The crane fell from the construction site which included a Google office building in the South Lake Union neighbourhood in April 2019 as it was being dismantled, killing four people.

Lawsuits filed by families of two of the victims killed in the collapse and three who were injured were consolidated into one case in the King County Superior Court, involving multiple firms involved in the construction site where the crane collapsed.

In the Monday verdict, a jury found four of the construction companies negligent, but only three of the companies’ negligence resulted in the death of Sarah Wong and Alan Justad, and the injury of Brittany Cadelina, Ali Edriss and Sally Beaven.

While the jury found GLY Construction, the company that leased the crane, negligent, it was not found responsible for the deaths and injuries.

The other companies named in the lawsuit are Morrow Equipment, which owned and leased the crane for the construction project and provided expertise for the building and dismantling of the crane; Northwest Tower Crane Service, which was in charge of setting up and dismantling the crane; and Omega Morgan, a mobile crane subcontractor.

The jury attributed 45% of the negligence to Northwest Tower Crane, 30% to Omega Morgan and 25% to Morrow Equipment.

The jury awarded the victims more than $150 million in damages, but Morrow Equipment Company did not participate in the trial as it is in discussions regarding other agreements with the victims, according to Beninger.

Wong’s estate, her parents and her sibling are to receive a combined $54.15 million. Nineteen-year-old Wong, a student at Seattle Pacific University, was a passenger in a car when parts of the crane struck it causing her fatal injuries.

Justad’s estate and his three daughters will receive a combined $39.15 million. Seventy-one-year-old Justad was in his car when parts of the tower cranes landed on top of the vehicle.

Cadelina and Edriss will each receive $9.2 million and Beaven will receive $975,000, according to Beninger and amounts awarded by the jury.

Northwest Tower Crane Service respects the verdict of the jury and thanks to 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,” an attorney for Northwest Tower Crane Services said to ABC News in a statement, declining to comment any further.

Attorneys for the Wongs, Cadelina and Omega did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment.

Share This Story

Leave a Comment

Related Topics

Read More

The NTSB has blamed a communication breakdown for a $4.5 million crane accident at North Charleston Terminal. The incident underscores the importance of air draft awareness and early coordination.
Terex introduces the CTL 702-32, a 32t luffing jib crane designed for smarter, faster, and safer operation—featuring a 70m jib, slack rope system, and torque-controlled slewing.
Wolffkran debuts its most powerful flat top crane yet—the 8038 Clear. With a 20t capacity and 85m reach, it’s built for modern modular construction and fast assembly.
Inland Crane has reached a settlement with OSHA following the deadly 2024 Boise hangar collapse. While citations are withdrawn, the company must now enforce new safety protocols.
A utility worker is in critical condition after a 300kg transformer fell from a crane during pole installation in Tokyo. The incident raises questions about rigging safety and lifting procedures.
Raimondi has launched the T577, a 24-tonne flat top tower crane with a max jib of 82.8 m and advanced controls. Debuted in Riyadh, it's the largest model in the company’s history.
Item added to cart.
0 items - $0.00