A trial team that included Cory Itkin of Arnold & Itkin, LLP and Michael Lyons of Lyons & Simmons, LLP, reached a mid-trial confidential settlement involving the 11 remaining victims from the 2019 collapse of a tower crane onto a downtown Dallas apartment complex.
At trial, Itkin and Lyons represented five personal injury victims and former residents of the former Elan City Lights apartments. An additional six personal injury victims were awaiting trial at a later date.
“The plaintiffs and their families are happy to put this behind them and move on with their lives after a very tragic event,” Lyons told The Texas Lawbook after the confidential settlement was announced to County Court at Law #2 Judge Mellisa J. Bellan. Read the full story Greystar, Bigge Settle Crane Collapse Suit Mid-Trial. [Password protected]
The tower crane was located across the street from Elan City Lights on a construction site for a mid-rise apartment development called the Gabriella owned by an entity affiliated with the global real estate development company Greystar. According to trial testimony, the day before the incident which led to the crane collapse, the operator failed to “weathervane” the crane at the end of his shift, which would have allowed the crane to move freely during high winds. Wind gusts of up to 70 mph were reported shortly before the collapse. Testimony and documentary proof showed Greystar had control over the crane operator and failed to adequately monitor and require appropriate safety measures which would have prevented the crane being placed out of service incorrectly.
Dozens of people filed lawsuits against Greystar and the crane rental company Bigge Crane & Rigging Co. following the collapse. The confidential settlement reportedly extends to all remaining plaintiffs.
Previously, in a separate lawsuit, the trial team of Jason Itkin and Cory Itkin of Arnold & Itkin, LLP, Michael Lyons of Lyons & Simmons, LLP, and Jonathan Clark of Glasheen, Valles & Inderman, LLP, secured a $860 million jury verdict for the family and estate of Kiersten Smith who was tragically killed when the crane collapsed. The case has been recognized among the top jury verdicts not only in Texas but also nationally in 2023.
Learn more about this verdict at $860 Million Trial Win Recognized Among Largest 2023 Texas Verdicts.
