A tragic workplace incident has led to a lawsuit involving allegations of negligence and strict liability. On June 26, 2024, Gerri A. Black filed a complaint in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas against Sturgeon Consulting, LLC and Samsel Rope & Marine Supply Co. following the death of her husband, Walter B. Black Jr., due to injuries sustained in a workplace accident.
The case revolves around an incident that occurred on October 26, 2022, when Walter B. Black Jr., employed at a facility manufacturing and refurbishing feed screws, was struck by a falling feed screw after a nylon strap manufactured by Samsel Rope & Marine Supply Co. failed. The strap was being used to lift the heavy equipment with an overhead hoist when it suddenly broke, causing the feed screw to fall and hit Mr. Black in the chest and shoulder. Despite medical efforts, Mr. Black succumbed to his injuries on November 7, 2022.
Gerri A. Black alleges that Sturgeon Consulting failed in its duty to provide adequate health and safety training for workers at the facility, including proper rigging techniques essential for safe operations. The complaint details multiple failures by Sturgeon Consulting such as inadequate training on safe rigging practices and failure to ensure compliance with industry standards and OSHA regulations.
Additionally, Samsel Rope & Marine Supply Co. is accused of designing, manufacturing, and distributing defective nylon straps that were not fit for their intended purpose and lacked necessary warnings about potential risks associated with their use. The complaint claims that these defects directly contributed to the fatal accident.
The plaintiff seeks compensatory damages exceeding $50,000 from both defendants for negligence leading to wrongful death under Pennsylvania law (42 Pa.C.S §8301) and survival action (42 Pa.C.S §8302). The suit demands compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, loss of financial support, emotional distress suffered by Mr. Black’s family members, and other related damages.
Representing Gerri A. Black are attorneys Benjamin J. Baer and David J. Langsam from Injury Law Partners based in Pittsburgh.