Crane Mechanic Escapes Jail Time for Role in Construction Fatalities
It’s been more than four years since a 200-foot crane collapsed on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, killing two workers. Last week, crane mechanic Tibor Varganyi was sentenced in a New York criminal court to community service for his role in the incident. The crane owner also faced criminal charges but was acquitted.
Rarely are contractors and job site officials held criminally responsible for construction accidents in New York and New Jersey. While fatalities increase the chances of criminal charges, most cases are resolved in civil court.
According to Bloomberg Businessweek:
Varganyi arranged what authorities called a penny-pinching, shoddy repair to a crucial component of the 200-foot-tall crane. It snapped apart on Manhattan’s Upper East Side in May 2008, a month after the fix — and two months after another crane had fallen and killed seven people in another part of Manhattan.
The collapses fueled new safety measures in New York and some other cities, and they have generated numerous lawsuits. But criminal trials in both accidents ended in acquittals, making Varganyi the only person held criminally responsible for either one.
Crane accidents are among the most deadly construction accidents due to the size and weight of the equipment involved. But other construction accidents can be as traumatic.
Consult a New York & New Jersey Construction Accident Attorney
When you are hurt on a construction site, criminal charges for your employer usually aren’t the first thing on your mind. First, is getting better. And second, is dealing with expenses. The New York and New Jersey construction accident attorneys with Ginarte Law Firm may be able to help you get compensation for your pain, medical costs, and mental anguish that can accompany a serious accident.
If you’ve been hurt on a construction site, contact our attorneys today to discuss your case and the legal options available to you. Call 888-GINARTE now.
