Wrongful Death - Article - $75M Settlement Is Reached in Hancock Scaffold Lawsuit

Posted on Feb 02, 2006 | Globest News

$75M Settlement Is Reached in Hancock Scaffold Lawsuit
By Mark Ruda

CHICAGO-Shorenstein Properties, along with the contractor, consultant, architect and engineer it used on a window sealing project at the John Hancock Center , has settled a wrongful death lawsuit for $75 million. Nearly four years ago, three people were killed and four injured when scaffolding fell from the 42nd floor of the John Hancock Center as a result of strong winds.

“Shorenstein knows that the accident of March 9, 2002 has had a terrible effect on the families of those killed and those who were injured,” says Bruce Duffield of Lord, Bissell & Brook LLP, an attorney representing the San Francisco-based company. “We are gratified that they will receive substantial compensation for this tragedy.”

Shorenstein will pay 10% of the settlement, or $7.5 million, according to a spokesperson. Shorenstein Properties LLC owns the 888,458 sf of office space and 144,462 sf of retail space in the 100-story building at 875 N. Michigan Ave. , which also includes residential condominiums on 49 floors. Shorenstein Realty Services manages the 36-year-old building.

Clifford Law Offices and Corboy & Demetrio represented the plaintiffs.

The scaffolding accident led to a proposed ordinance before the city council requiring permits and setting regulations for scaffolding companies, as GlobeSt.com previously reported. The Chicago City Council passed a version of the scaffolding ordinance on July 31, 2002

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