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Tropicana Accident Victims' Families Sue

ATLANTIC CITY – As reported by the Press of Atlantic City: "Four construction workers died when five floors of Tropicana Casino and Resort's parking garage collapsed in October because the gaming hall and companies building the garage cut corners to save time and money, their families charge in a lawsuit filed this week.

"The workers died because of 'negligence, gross negligence, recklessness and other liability-producing conduct' on behalf of the casino, concrete and general contractors and site engineers, they charge in a complaint filed in Superior Court in Atlantic County.

"The defendants improperly installed pre-cast concrete slabs 'in an effort to save time and money and increase defendants' profits,' the lawsuit reads.

"…The lawsuit follows the release six weeks ago of a critical report by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA. The report states that concrete floors weren't properly shored and steel bars that were supposed to connect the garage's walls and floors in an overlapping grid didn't meet, leaving the structure unable to bear its own weight.

"…While the dead workers' families are seeking medical, compensatory, wage loss and pain-and-suffering damages, New Jersey law prohibits them from asking for a specific damage amount, [said Robert Mongeluzzi, a co-lead counsel for the family members,]said.

"…The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the families of ironworkers Jimmy Bigelow Jr., 29, of Egg Harbor Township, and Michael Wittland, 53, of Pleasantville, and cement masons Robert Tartaglio Jr., 42, of Galloway Township, and Scott Pietrosante, 21, of Buena Vista Township.

"Named as defendants are Tropicana; its parent company, Aztar Corp.; Keating Building Corp. of Bala Cynwyd, Pa., the general contractor; Fabi Construction Inc. of Egg Harbor Township, the concrete contactor; Site Blauvet Engineers of Mount Laurel; Mitchell Bar Placement of Sewell; and DeSimone Consulting Engineers of New York…"

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