The contractor of a 90-story luxury apartment building in New York City is facing a $5 million lawsuit from two dentists who blame the company for a construction crane collapse during Superstorm Sandy, according to news reports.
Lend Lease Construction is named in the lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on Friday. The Australian firm is accused of negligence for not properly preparing for the widely predicted storm. Residents and businesses in the vicinity of the crane were evacuated from October 29, when the collapse occurred, until November 4.
Musikant Deutch and Caroline Stern dental practices are located within one block of building One57. The former operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and had its first closure in 30 years, according to the complaint. Barry Musikant, an individual plaintiff in the suit, also had to evacuate his home, which is near his practice.
The crane's owner, Pinnacle Industries, its operator, and the building developer also are named in the suit.
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