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NY Cranes & Equipment

Description

Two construction workers killed in crane collapse. The company's owner, James Lomma, had relied on an unqualified Chinese company called RTR Bearings to make repairs to the crane because RTR offered a low price ($20,000) and quick turnaround. A bid from Avon Bearings in Ohio quoted $120,127 for the same work. Ten months prior to the accident, RTR warned NY Cranes that they doubted they could capably perform the welds required to fix the machinery.

Prosecutors

Assistant District Attorney Deborah Hickey

Incident Type

Crane Collapse

County

New York

State

New York

Date

May 30, 2008

Available case materials include

  • Case/Court Decisions
  • Media Clips & Gov't. Press

OSHA Inspection

Contact for Additional Information

Unavailable

Victims

First Last Age Title Employer Injury Type
Donald Leo 30 Construction Worker New York Crane & Equipment Fatality
Ramadan Kurtaj 27 Construction Worker New York Crane & Equipment Fatality

Defendants

Name Type Title Plea Information Conviction Sentence
James Lomma Individual Owner Pleaded not guilty Acquitted on all charges.
Penal Crimes Charged

Second Degree Manslaughter; Assault; Criminally Negligent Homicide; Reckless Endangerment

Other Crimes Charged

Unavailable

Tibor Varganyi Individual Former Employee Pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide Sentenced to one year of community service.
Penal Crimes Charged

Second Degree Manslaughter; Assault; Criminally Negligent Homicide; Reckless Endangerment

Other Crimes Charged

Unavailable

New York Crane and Equipment Corp. Entity Entity Pleaded not guilty Unavailable
Penal Crimes Charged

Second Degree Manslaughter; Assault; Criminally Negligent Homicide; Reckless Endangerment

Other Crimes Charged

Unavailable