A woman who was injured in a rideshare when a portion of a tower crane collapsed in downtown Fort Lauderdale is suing the general contractor, subcontractors, and developer of the luxury apartment tower that is currently under construction.
Gemmalyn Castillo filed lawsuits against Kast Construction, located in West Palm Beach, Maxim Crane Works, Deerfield Beach, Phoenix Rigging & Erecting, Gables Residential Services, located in Atlanta, and CG Riverwalk on Thursday, claiming negligence and seeking more than $50 million in damages.
Attorneys claimed that Castillo, a passenger in a Tesla, was injured as a result of the "reckless actions" of Kast Construction and the other companies involved in the construction of the 43-story Riverwalk Residences.
"She's been diagnosed with organic brain damage, permanent scarring to her face, and has undergone significant psychological treatment," Attorney Brett Rosen told Miami Herald news partner CBS News Miami.
Castillo, a special education teacher at Deerfield Beach's Quiet Waters Elementary School, was "crushed" by the impact during the incident. The filing said she had severe facial and head injuries.
According to the lawsuit, she was bleeding heavily from an open head wound when she was inside the car, and all she could think about was her four children.
Castillo's attorneys noted that Kast Construction and the other companies operated with a "reckless disregard for human life and safety."
They also failed to request that the bridge be stopped for construction, inspect the crane, or develop a safety plan to divert traffic while it was being assembled.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration began an investigation into Kast Construction, Phoenix Rigging & Erecting, and Maxim Crane Works a few days after the partial collapse. The cases are pending.
Attorney Judd G. Rosen said in the filing that the defendants had an obligation and a duty to conduct their construction activities, including the maintenance, operation, construction, and supervision of the subject crane, such that those activities would not threaten the general public.
