Premises Liability - Wednesday, July 28, 2010 12:39 - 0 Comments

Lawsuit Filed Over Atlanta Bridge Collapse

The widow of a construction worker, who was killed when a pedestrian bridge collapsed at the Atlanta Botanical Garden in 2008, has filed a lawsuit against the attraction and several construction companies. Eucebia Lopez Carbajal, the widow of 66-year-old Angel Chupin, filed her suit in state court in Fulton County. Also, three workers injured when the elevated walkway collapsed have filed lawsuits. All four men worked for a subcontractor that pours concrete foundations. The lawsuits accuse the garden and the companies of failing to protect the workers building the “Canopy Walk,” which by the way is now open to the public.

The incident that killed Chupin and injured another 18 workers occurred during construction of a pedestrian walkway designed to give visitors a view of the garden from 40 feet above ground. The men were hurt when part of the elevated path crumbled, causing workers to fall dozens of feet to the ground. Several workers suffered fractures and spinal injuries. Mr. Chupin was killed. An Occupational Safety and Health Administration report determined the incident may have been caused by two support towers that were placed too far from each other. OSHA also referenced a failure to properly inspect the shoring equipment before the concrete pour as a factor in fines ranging from around $5,000 to $15,000 issued against three of the companies involved in the walkway’s construction. Mike Moran, a very good lawyer from Atlanta, represents Mrs. Chupin. The family wants to recover the full value of this man’s life. Hopefully, they will be successful in this case.

Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution