Notice filed of lawsuit on Center City crane crash

One week after the Center City crane crash that killed the operator and injured several pedestrians, notice of the first lawsuit has been filed in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court.

A summons announcing intent to sue was filed yesterday on behalf of Dorothy Ramos, 76, against Masonry Preservation Group Inc., of Merchantville, the crane operator, and First Presbyterian Church at 21st and Walnut Streets.

A woman who answered the phone said MPG president Brent Schopfel was not available to discuss the suit.

"I know nothing about it," said the Rev. Jesse Garner, First Presbyterian's pastor, of the writ filed by Ramos' lawyers.

Miriam Benton Barish, a Center City lawyer who is representing Ramos with cocounsel Bernard Smalley Sr., said the accident left Ramos with serious arm and back injuries and, at least for the short term, has cost Ramos her independence. The lawyers said she did not want to be interviewed.

MPG was performing an inspection last Tuesday of the condition of the stonework of the historic 1872 church, using several mobile cranes called aerial lifts.

About 1:15 p.m., MPG employee James Wilson, 41, of Franklinville in South Jersey, was perched 125 feet above Walnut Street, inspecting the church's north face and imposing neo-Gothic tower.

As he maneuvered along the sidewalk, one tire of the 12-ton lift came to rest on the fiberglass-reinforced concrete panel covering a Comcast node that provides access to cables in the street.

The panel shattered under the weight, and as the tire sank into the sidewalk, the bucket containing Wilson arced and its momentum tipped the piece of equipment on its side.

As the lift fell, its hydraulic arm bit into the roof and eave of the apartment building at 2015 Walnut and knocked down a traffic light.

Wilson was killed in the accident, and bricks and debris rained down, injuring several pedestrians, including Ramos.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Barish said Ramos, who lives on Rittenhouse Square, was walking on Walnut Street to a supermarket when she saw the crane topple over.

As debris began falling, Ramos held her arm above her to try to shield herself. Barish said bricks crushed her arm and elbow and knocked Ramos to the ground. Other debris struck her in the back, breaking bones in her spine, Barish added.

Though Ramos is now at home and ambulatory, Barish said, doctors are uncertain whether she will regain use of the injured arm, or how long-lasting the effects of the spinal injury will be.

"She was independent and healthy," Barish said. "She lived alone and took care of herself prior to the accident."