A Houston man is taking legal action after a crane collapse at Sesco Cement's facility during a severe storm left him with grave injuries and claimed the life of a colleague. Crosby Ware, 66, faced "traumatic and catastrophic injuries", as detailed by his attorneys at Kherkher Garcia, LLP. The incident, which happened last Thursday during a derecho with winds up to 100 mph, also resulted in the death of 72-year-old Juan Hernandez.
According to a report by KHOU, the lawsuit names Sesco Cement, Corp., ASI Industrial, Lampson International, LLC., and McRay Crane & Rigging, Inc. The defendants are accused of "gross negligence" for continuing operations despite severe weather warnings. The legal complaint alleges that the companies' decision to prioritize work over safety in the face of a forecasted storm demonstrates a brazen disregard for human life.
As per the facts laid out in the lawsuit, the crane collapse happened in the Magnolia Park area on Wingate near 75th Street. Ware was delivering cement to the plant for an ongoing construction project at the time of the incident. The lawsuit seeks compensation for Ware's "pain and suffering, physical impairment, disfigurement, mental anguish and medical expenses."
"These companies demonstrated a brazen disregard for human life by making a conscious decision to value profit over safety during a severe storm the entire region was warned about," Kevin Haynes with Kherkher Garcia told KHOU, The suit also requests a temporary restraining order to prevent potential tampering or destruction of evidence related to the crane collapse.
Additional comments from the law firm representing Ware were shared by Hoodline, further criticizing the involved companies. "The reckless and careless actions of these companies took place in weather conditions that required an immediate halt to crane operations, but these companies decided the storm wasn’t dangerous enough to temporarily pause their pursuit of profits. Mr. Ware will require extensive recovery and medical treatment thanks to the preventable actions and inactions of these companies. We are determined to aggressively fight for our client and ensure that all wrongdoers are held accountable and recover maximum damages." Haynes stated.
