After NYC Crane Fire & Collapse –  A History of Tragedy & Controversy Surrounding Company Involved

Edited by: TJVNews.com

A tragic incident on Wednesday morning at Hudson Yards in New York City has once again brought attention to the shady past of the company involved, as was reported by the New York Post. New York City Crane & Equipment Corp., the owner of the crane that caught fire and partially collapsed, injuring six people, has a history marred by deadly incidents and controversy. The Post reported that the company was founded by James Lomma, a self-proclaimed “King of Cranes.” The company’s machines were involved in two fatal accidents more than a decade ago, the Post report indicated. As the city authorities investigate the  incident on Wednesday, the spotlight falls on the company’s past and its questionable safety practices.

BREAKING: Crane Catches Fire, Partially Collapses In Manhattan-
• A large crane on a high-rise building caught fire and partially collapsed in Manhattan Wednesday morning.
• Officials have declared this a four alarm fire.
• The crane is on a building under construction,… pic.twitter.com/cFxqxAju3k

— The Jewish Voice (@JewishVoice) July 26, 2023

 New York City Crane & Equipment Corp.’s first major headline-making incident occurred in 2008 when two of its cranes collapsed, claiming the lives of nine people within a span of just two months, as was reported by the Post.  The first collapse took place at 303 East 51st Street in Manhattan, resulting in the deaths of six construction workers and one bystander, as well as injuring 24 others, the Post report noted. The tragedy raised concerns about the crane’s safety ties, as a caller had previously informed city officials that the 22-story-high crane lacked proper safety measures.

Just five days later, on May 30, another crane owned by the company collapsed on East 91st Street, leading to the deaths of crane operator Donald Leo and worker Ramadan Kurtaj, the Post reported. Investigations revealed that the crane had previously been damaged by a lightning strike in 2007, raising questions about the company’s maintenance practices.

The deadly incidents led to legal repercussions for James Lomma and New York City Crane & Equipment Corp. The Post reported that prosecutors filed manslaughter and various criminal charges against Lomma, connecting the collapses to a poorly manufactured bearing. During the trial, investigators highlighted how Lomma opted for a cheaper, less safe repair option from a Chinese firm known as RTR Bearing, instead of investing in a more secure option from a reputable American company known as Avon Bearings, according to the Post report.

The trial faced intense scrutiny, and Lomma’s behavior during the proceedings further fueled controversy. The Post also stated that despite being acquitted in a bench trial, the victims’ families expressed frustration, feeling that justice had not been served.

“He’s dancing on our son’s grave,” Kurtaj’s cousin, Zhevaire Sinanaj, told The Post at the time — accusing Lomma of sending taunting emails in the aftermath of the verdict.

Following the trial, a civil case awarded the victims’ families a record-breaking $96 million in damages. However, the Post also reported that Lomma’s refusal to surrender his lavish assets led to a standoff, and the court ordered him to sell his expensive Pilatus PC-12 turbo-prop airplane. There were suspicions that Lomma attempted to shield his wealth by transferring assets to his daughter’s company to avoid paying the compensation, as was reported by the Post on Wednesday.

Despite his immense wealth, Lomma’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy claimed limited assets, adding further controversy to the situation, the report said. The victims’ families accused him of prioritizing profit over safety, and they struggled to receive the rightful compensation they deserved.

“Lomma is extremely, extremely wealthy and yet the families have not seen a penny from him,” attorney Susan Karten, who represented Kurtaj’s family,  said in 2017, as was reported by the Post.

As investigations into the Wednesday crane accident at Hudson Yards proceed, authorities will thoroughly assess the company’s safety practices and its compliance with regulations to prevent further tragedies in the future.