Western Specialty Contractors

Description

In 2016, Blumenfeld Development Group, the owner of the Gotham Residential Projected, hired ZDG, LLC, as the construction manager to build an eleven-story mixed used building. ZDG hired subconctractor Western Waterproofing Co. to install the building’s facade. On June 15, 2018, Timothy Braico ordered a mini crane to be delivered to the worksite even though none of the workers were trained to operate it and without obtaining the requisite NY City Department of Building’s approved engineer’s plans to ensure its safe use. Then on June 25, 2018, Terrence Edwards, the site superintendent, directed an ironworker to use the mini crane on the fourth floor to hoist glass panels up from the second floor. The operator had not been trained to use the mini crane, did not understand the crane’s load capacity, and was not told to tether the mini crane, in violation of DOB regulations. Edwards directed ironworkers Christopher Jackson and Jorge Delgado to work from the floor below the crane, guiding the panels into place as the crane operator hoisted them up. As the crane lifted a heavy glass panel, it lurched forward and capsized before falling to the ground. As it fell, the crane’s boom reached into the third floor, where it knocked into Christopher Jackson, broke his harness, and catapulted him to the ground. Jackson suffered severe trauma to his head, resulting in a traumatic brain injury which as affected his ability to speak and to walk. Jorge Delgado was struck in the back and suffered severe spinal injuries impairing his ability to walk and move.

Prosecutors

Assistant District Attorney Meredith McGowan