Families Of Fatal Crane Collapse Victims File Suit

The families of two men who died of the personal injuries they suffered when a large crane collapsed at a Houston, Texas refinery have filed suit against the crane company and other entities.

On July 24, Melanie Barnes, Melody Metz, and Debra Johnson filed separate suits in Texas’ Jefferson County District Court naming Houston Refining, Wyatt Field Service Company, Kempco Inspection Services, All Test and Inspection, Cranesmart Systems, Cranesmart America, and Deep South Crane and Rigging.

On July 18, 2008, four workers were killed and seven others injured when a 30-story-tall construction crane, capable of lifting one million pounds, fell over at the LyondellBasell facility in Houston.

The suit says that the crane boom had been raised too high, allowing the crane to boom over, which caused the crane to fall backwards and collapse.

Barnes’ suit was filed on behalf of her deceased son, Daniel Johnson Sr., Metz’s suit was filed on behalf of her minor son’s father, Marion Hubert Odom III, and Debra Johnson’s suit was filed on behalf of her minor son’s father, Daniel Johnson Sr.

According to the suits, Johnson and Odom suffered mental anguish and pain before their deaths.

The plaintiffs claim the men’s deaths have caused them to suffer mental anguish, lost familial consortium, lost companionship and society, lost love, comfort, companionship, and society, and lost care, maintenance, support, services, advice, and counsel.

The suits allege negligence, gross negligence, and product liability against the defendants.