Wrongful Death Suit Filed Against South Carolina Port and Crane Manufacturer

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. Nationally known law firm, Motley Rice LLC, today announced the filing of a wrongful death and survival action against Konecranes, Inc. and the South Carolina State Port Authority (SCSPA) on behalf of Jean Holst, wife of William Edward Holst, Jr., who was killed at the Wando Welch Terminal in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., on July 5, 2004. The action against Konecranes is for negligence, breach of warranty, strict liability, wrongful death and punitive and exemplary damages. The action against SCSPA is for negligence and wrongful death.

The claim alleges that Konecranes, which designed and manufactured the overhead crane that landed on and ultimately caused the death of Holst while he was performing his job at the Wando Welch Terminal, breached a duty of care owed to Holst. It also alleges that SCSPA failed to adopt and implement adequate safety procedures and policies; failed to ensure personnel on site received adequate training and supervision; failed to fulfill its duty of care as a premise owner; and is responsible for the negligence of its employee/agent.

Holst's death is one of many recent deaths at ports across America. Motley Rice attorneys and their client hope that suits such as this one will help evoke the safety changes necessary at our nation's ports.

"Ports play a crucial role in our country's and our state's economy. However, safety needs to be made a priority," said Anne Kearse, Motley Rice member. "We hope that by bringing this suit to court we will help bring forth the necessary safety changes and regulations."

Dennis E. O'Neill, Esquire, of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., is working closely with Motley Rice on this case. Mr. O'Neill handles the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act Claim, and is also a close friend of the Holst Family.

About Motley Rice LLC

Motley Rice LLC is one of the nation's largest plaintiffs' litigation firms. Motley Rice attorneys gained global recognition for their pioneering work on behalf of asbestos victims, the State Attorneys General in their landmark litigation against Big Tobacco, and the 9/11 families in their groundbreaking lawsuit against terrorist financiers. Motley Rice attorneys are currently representing clients in the recent JK Harris & Company class action, the Graniteville train disaster and chlorine spill property damage case, two of the Ford defective door latch class action cases and continue to seek justice in the areas of: catastrophic injury; complex case resolution; consumer and commercial fraud; environmental hazards and contamination; medical negligence and medical device defects; occupational disease and toxic torts; and transportation defects.